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April 16th 2014--- Listen back to John Wetton's interview with Team Rock Radio;
You can hear the interview at 1hr 15min
April 1st 2014--- Listen live to John's interview with Firebrand Rock Radio. This will air tonight (01/04/2014) between 7-9pm UK Time http://www.firebrandrr.co.uk/radio-player/
March 31st 2014--- Listen live to John's interview with Express/Forest FM this evening at 8.45pm [UK Time] http://www.expressfm.com/programmes/the-soft-rock-show/
March 28th 2014--- Listen live to John's interview with BBC Radio Berkshire this afternoon at 1.40pm [UK Time] http://www.bbc.co.uk/radioberkshire
March 27th 2014--- Listen live to John's interview with BBC Radio Suffolk this evening at 6.45pm [UK Time] http://www.bbc.co.uk/radiosuffolk
March 24th 2014--- ASIA's new single, Valkyrie, is currently at #7 in the US Mediabase Radio Play chart.
March 20th 2014--- ASIA's new album, Gravitas, is currently at #26 in the national charts in Japan.
March 17th 2014--- Listen back to John's interview with Flying Radio. You can hear Gravitas at 25min 20sec and the interview at 33min 20sec
March 14th 2014--- ASIA is proud to announce that they will perform some of the tracks from their well-
received current album 'Gravitas' for the first time ever at a couple of select UK shows in
June. The dates, at the Malvern Theatre and the Holmfirth Picturedrome, are on sale now.
'Gravitas' sees the legendary British band moving into the next phase of its extraordinary
career; this is a brave new album that explores different musical landscapes while
embracing its familiar musical past. Produced and written by band members John Wetton
and Geoff Downes, the album also introduces the world to the band's new guitarist, Sam
Coulson, who replaces Steve Howe in the line-up.
ASIA's debut album exploded onto the music scene in April 1982 and was the best selling
album in the world that year. Featuring Geoff Downes (keyboards), Steve Howe (guitar),
Carl Palmer (drums) and John Wetton (lead vocal and bass), the group was the logical
successor to their collective bands of the 70's - Yes, ELP, King Crimson, UK and The
June 2014
Malvern Theatre, Worcestershire
Ticket price: £25
Doors 7pm, on stage 7.30pm.
Box office: 01684 892277 or www.malvern-tickets.co.uk
June 2014
Holmfirth Picturedrome, West Yorkshire
Ticket price: £24.75
Box Office: 0844 249 1000 or www.picturedrome.net
For ASIA's long-devoted fans, the band's return to the concert stage cannot come soon
enough. As Carl Palmer says: "Performing on stage is where this band truly comes into
its element. Seeing the fans reacting to our music is what makes it all worthwhile. It is the
fuel that drives this train we call ASIA." John Wetton added, "Aware of the debt to our
homeland, we look forward to playing these two special dates in June to preview
'Gravitas', and introduce the latest, exciting chapter of this extraordinary band". From
Geoff Downes, "We are very much looking forward to playing in front of our UK fans
once more. It's been quite a while, so of course we are extra-excited this time to bring our
music back to you all again. And in particular, we shall be including songs from our
brand new album 'Gravitas' - see you there!"
For more information or to request interviews please contact Chris Hewlett on 0845
601 2833 or email email@example.com
March 13th 2014--- Valkyrie has debuted at #13 on the Mediabase Classic Rock chart.
February 25th 2014--- The Huffington Post interviewed John Wetton, Carl Palmer and Geoff Downes about the new album, Gravitas. The interview can be read on their website.
February 25th 2014--- The EPK for ASIA's new album Gravitas is available on the Huffington Post's website.
February 24th 2014--- ASIA introduces its new album, Gravitas, with an exclusive premier of the Valkyrie promo video on USA Today.
February 17th 2014--- ASIA's forthcoming album Gravitas is available to pre-order on iTunes:
February 7th 2014--- ASIA is pleased to announce that GRAVITAS is #1 in the Japanese HMV pre-order chart.
February 5th 2014---
ASIA is:
John Wetton – lead vocal and bass
Carl Palmer – drums
Geoff Downes- keyboards
Sam Coulson- guitars
grav·i·tas ('gravi,täs/ -noun)
1. dignity, seriousness, or solemnity of manner.
"a post for which he has the expertise and the gravitas"
ASIA, the legendary British band, moves into the next phase of its extraordinary career with Gravitas, a brave new album that explores different musical landscapes while embracing its familiar musical past. Produced and written by band members John Wetton and Geoff Downes, Gravitas is deeply introspective within a clearly accessible sound. The album also introduces the world to ASIA's new guitarist, Sam Coulson, who came at the recommendation of Mr. Big's Paul Gilbert.
Scheduled for release on Frontiers Records on March 5th (Japan); March 21st (Europe); and March 25th(North America), the album will be available in two configurations: a standard CD and a Deluxe Edition, that will include two bonus tracks and a DVD containing the "Valkyrie" music video, a promotional film, and footage of classic live ASIA tracks such as "Heat of the Moment," recorded with the Plovdiv Philharmonic Orchestra in Bulgaria.
From the title track, Gravitas, which chronicles a man's struggle in the battlefield of life, to the powerfully compelling tale of unrequited love, "The Closer I Get To You," the album is a tour de force for the band whose music has become a staple to rock fans around the world.
"Pure, unadulterated and stereotypical ASIA, with raw energy, enthusiasm and free from impurities," says John Wetton. " It conveys the spectrum of emotion and colour from real life agonies to ecstatic fantasy of escapism. Great songs, fabulous performance. Gravitas is ASIA by ASIA. At last."
"With the addition of Sam it allowed us to take the band in a slightly different, and perhaps tougher, direction." says Carl Palmer. "He brings a different feel to ASIA with his guitar work. As a band we have been able to grow, while at the same time, remain true to the classic ASIA sound that our fans know and love."
Gravitas, like its definition, brings dignity and a powerful artistic statement with some of the best songs Wetton & Downes have ever written and ASIA has ever recorded. On "Joe Di Maggio's Glove," Wetton sings of a man trying to understand how the power of love had changed him using the metaphor of the soft leather that that makes up baseball's most famous glove: "I've never been completely lost/ I've never been so in love/ How did my heart become so soft?/ Like Joe Di Maggio's glove…"
"Nyctophobia," a haunting rocker built upon driving rhythm and vocal harmonies, looks at a person's debilitating fear of darkness: "There is no air in here/ I'm drowning in my fear/ And if I close my eyes, the ground will disappear…" Gravitas' epic track, however, is "The Closer I Get To You," likely to go down as one of Asia' s most powerful ballads ever. Exemplifying a man's frustration over his inability to rest in the sanctuary of the woman he loves, Wetton sings: "Our existence is just floating at sea/ Cut adrift from the people we are." Musically, it features a blistering guitar solo from Coulson over the rich, layered vocals that have become part of the band's trademark sound. Gravitas, the band's fourth studio album since reuniting eight years ago, is already being heralded as the band's freshest album since the classic records of the early 1980s.
"The idea was to give the band a new sound that would still complement the classic ASIA sound of our best known material," says Geoff Downes. "We tried very hard to blend the cocktail just right where we could offer something different and still maintain the musical legacy we have built."
Asia's debut album exploded onto the music scene in April,1982, with several Top 10 singles. In the end, it was the best selling album in the world in 1982.. Featuring Geoff Downes on keyboards; Steve Howe on guitar; Carl Palmer on drums; and John Wetton on lead vocal and bass; Asia was the logical successor to their collective bands of the 70s – Yes, ELP, King Crimson, UK, and The Buggles.
Labeled a "supergroup" by critics and the media from the onset, it was a tag they had never asked for. Asia's music- and its rock'n'roll stage charisma- developed organically and effortlessly. Though all four men had seen chart-topping success in their previous bands, Asia had a special chemistry that fans and music industry insiders were quick to recognize.
Asia became one of the most played acts during the first year of MTV. Throughout most of '82, Asia ruled the radio airwaves and MTV. They sold out every date on tour, and the debut album crushed all the competition at record stores around the world.
The original line-up of ASIA reformed in 2006. It was the first time the four original members had worked together in 23 years. They regrouped with no more expectations than to play a single, reunion tour. Prior to Gravitas, ASIA had completed several world tours, released three brilliant studio albums (2008′s Phoenix, 2010′s Omega, and 2012′s XXX), as well as three live albums and Blu-rays / DVDs.
ASIA will embark on a world tour starting in June, and set to include Japan, UK, Europe, Canada and the United States.
Says Wetton: "Last summer, ASIA played live dates which opened in the UK, took in the massive Sweden Rock Festival, a short Germany/ Austria/ Switzerland/ Denmark tour, and a TV show in the glorious Roman Theater, Plovdiv, with orchestra. These were the first dates of the new chapter of ASIA—and in my opinion, the band has never sounded better. "
"It always was a great live band, but this time the dragon has awakened with fresh energy, direction and purpose. Extensive touring from June 12th to support Gravitas will consolidate any speculation regarding ASIA's live credentials. Great songs, fabulous performance. Do not miss."
"As with any new Asia album, putting it all together presents something of a challenge," says Downes. " In the case of Gravitas, it's fair to say everyone involved rose way above and beyond this challenge. We sincerely hope you like the result."
"There is a renewed energy when we step on stage now," says Downes. "We can feel it and I know the fans can feel it."
For ASIA's long-devoted fans, the band's return to the concert stage can not come soon enough. As Palmer says: "Performing on stage is where this band truly comes into its element. Seeing the fans reacting to our music is what makes it all worthwhile. It is the fuel that drives this train we call ASIA."
Preorder ASIA Gravitas at:
Regular Edition: http://smarturl.it/GravitasRegAmazon
Deluxe Edition: http://smarturl.it/GravitasDlxAmazon
For all things ASIA, please visit: www.originalasia.com
Follow ASIA on Facebook: www.facebook.com/asiatheband
January 31st 2014--- John is pleased to announce two albums he made with Richard Palmer-James are being re-issued as a 2 CD set. This 2014 re-mastered set features Monkey Business which has been out of print for nearly 10 years and Jack-Knife which has been out of print for nearly 20 years.
The release can be pre-ordered through the below link, with digital links to follow.
January 31st 2014--- ASIA is pleased to present the Roger Dean artwork album cover for the forthcoming Gravitas CD.
Click on the below thumbnail for a larger image.
The album is available to pre-order from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk
January 30th 2014--- John has written this blow by blow of the songs on the forthcoming ASIA album Gravitas:
As an ASIA record, Gravitas shows a whole spectrum of musical, lyrical and sonic material, a mix of prog, rock, pop, folk, classical, melodic, alternative---all as it should be, accessible songs about real-life relationships and situations. The album's original title was 'Valkyrie', and indeed that is the opening track of the collection. This song was the first to emerge from our (myself and Geoff Downes) many writing sessions that take place before the formal recording takes place.
I remember clearly we were in Wales (all our writing for this album was done either at Geoff's studio in Wales or in Dorset, where I live. I had the title and a chord sequence, and we tossed this around for a while, until something clicked, and there was a moment, that spark that ignites the afternoon, and tells us that we have something---the muse gives it her blessing, and another ASIA song is conceived.
The title had been buzzing around for a while in my head, and in my heart---I have read enough Scandinavian folk lore and literature to know what the function of this super-male sacred feminine can do---her purpose to choose between those who live or die on the battlefield, and to escort them safely and gloriously to the next world. I tried a version of Valkyrie which would be a modern, 21st Century businesswoman---but went back to the Valkyrie's original purpose of safe delivery to the afterlife, whatever that may be. It's wishing safe passage to someone who passed away---the imagery is of a battlefield where the storyteller is lifted by the Valkyrie and taken to a safe place---the recurrent Guardian Angel theme in the lyrics of Gravitas comes from personal experience.
The location of the birthplace of the song is echoed in the introduction, an Asian Welsh male voice choir. Haunting cello is provided by the lovely Katinka Steijns, who graces the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
As with 'Valkyrie', I had the title "Gravitas' before the track was written, and it was at a band meeting where the majority vote went to this title for the album.
I wrote the intro/chorus chords on the 'magic piano' at home (on which many ASIA songs were written by Wetton/Downes from 1981 onwards---this piano has followed me through three major domestic location changes over the last 30 + years). However, the opening chords were destined to be played on a noisy, in-your-face electric guitar. The 'Gravitas' lyric is a fairly jaundiced view of emotional split/divorce, and all the acrimony that it entails, with a plea to leave the other party at least some of their dignity. Great guitar solo from Sam on this one---what gets me every time is just as you think he might be running out of steam, he kicks into another tone, and just nails it. Fabulous drums from Mr.Palmer on this, as on all the songs---he hits harder than any drummer I've ever worked with, he plays what is right for the track while maintaining his unique identity. 'Gravitas' is preceded by 'Lento', a beautiful Mahleresque adagio by Geoffrey---the calm before the storm.
'The Closer I Get to You' was one of the last two tracks written for this album. An intimate A and B section leads you into a huge chorus. The story is of the disintegration of a relationship. Most of us have experienced this, and it's not pretty, so it does strike a chord in most people---- including the two authors of this song. I tried to get the verses to sound as close as possible---no reverb, as if I'm speaking to you. The chorus is the opposite---kitchen sink meets The Hollies----definitive chords from GD, and our storyteller is confused and more than a bit angry. I thank Rob Aubrey, the vocal sound engineer, for his patience in the recording of this, it took a long time to capture the mood, many takes, and some tortuous editing.
'Nyctophobia', again one of the first batch of songs to be written---about fear of the dark. I had the opening line, and at my house in Bournemouth, Geoff and I expanded the sequence, and birthed the song. I hardly ever write about anything that I haven't experienced myself, and this is no exception---all of the characters you hear about are real, too---they may not do the jobs they appear to in the lyric, but they are real people---their names just fit the bill perfectly---it's the same with situations and locations, the songwriter's licence to adapt can be a mischievous device, but it also protects the anonymity of the person/location.
'Russian Dolls' ---the germ of this idea started on an iCon tour some years ago, when we took the mid-Winter midnight train after a club gig in Moscow, en route to an ice-stadium in Saint Petersburg. The trip takes all night, plenty of time to document the atmosphere of this incredible journey. Moscow Main Station in sub-zero snow at midnight, with all the steam, hustle, bustle was amazing, and the journey itself, down to the tea Samovar in your sleeper car, and the fur-trimmed uniform of the stewardesses---so evocative. Arrival in the morning---still freezing, but clear blue skies and the phenomenal city of St.Petersburg---it had to be documented. Geoff's verse, my chorus---and if anyone asks the question about 'as close as Russian Dolls' ---the answer is that one fits inside the other---and it doesn't get any closer than that.
'Heaven Help Me Now' was also in the first batch of songs that Geoff and I started playing with---it started with a chord sequence, and mushroomed from there. The 'Tryptich' nature of this song starts with a small request to a Guardian Angel, a short hymn, 'Wings of Angels' which began its life 20 years ago in Vancouver B.C., into the second part, 'Prelude', which I remember Geoff playing at a sound check (Ton Probe) in Darmstadt on our last tour of Germany in 2013. When I heard it, I just asked GD to remember it, we agreed that it would be terrific in sequence on the album. The main body of the song is a plea to whatever is out there---sometimes I need a little extra help, if I'm running on my own power, it's simply not enough.
'I Would Die For You' was written by Geoff and myself around 1987, at a time when we would just go into a studio for a weekend and record as many new songs as we could. The Snake Ranch on Lots Road, Chelsea, Hans Zimmer's studio on Fulham Road, we would be toiling away writing and recording---of course we had no idea that any of it would be useful decades later, but IWDFY is a stonking, riffy, no-nonsense tune about love in the first blossom of lust. The guy just can't get enough of this poor girl, and would die for her---which leads onto the only uplifting love song of the album…………..
…………….'Joe DiMaggio's Glove', where the hero, a cynical, battle-hardened bachelor is tamed by a summer with the woman who loves him. The juxtaposition of his life before, then the change in his heart, is documented here, and for once, it's a happy ending. Is Joe's glove that soft? I've no idea, but it sounds great.
'Till We Meet Again" ends the album. It was not our intention to write a 'closer' for this collection, but this song seems to slip comfortably into that role--- a rocky, Celtic, rootsy hoedown. I'd been to a rock gig the night before in Southampton, and my ears were still ringing with this miscellany when GD and I started work at my house the next day. It's a
celebration of friendship, and a farewell to the audience to be well and think good thoughts until we meet again---in this world, or the next. Which is where 'Valkyrie' starts………
John Wetton, New Forest, Jan 30, 2014
December 24th 2013--- Asia's concert in Plovdiv, Bulgaria will be aired on Bulgarian National TV on the 30th December 2013 (with the Plovdiv Philharmonic Orchestra).
December 22nd 2013--- ASIA announces its first 2014 dates, please click on the below image for more details:
November 28th 2013--- Asia announces its new album GRAVITAS for release Spring 2014.
November 25th 2013--- John has been interviewed for Dr. Craig Wax's radio show which can be heard by CLICKING HERE
Dr. Craig M. Wax welcomes back the "Sole Survivor," himself, John Wetton, vocalist & bassist of Asia, UK & King Crimson. Today's episode of Your Health Matters is, "Surviving Rock Stardom." John Wetton talks about his music career spanning four decades and his health challenges as this "Phoenix," rose from the dust of deadly alcohol & cigarette addiction back to superstardom. John says he tells his story, "If I can help someone out, Ill gladly do it."
November 12th 2013--- John is once again helping to raise funds and awareness for testicular and prostate cancer through Movember.
John would like to thank people who have kindly donated so far.
October 28th 2013--- John guested on Aryeon's The Theory of Everything recently and the album was released today!
The album can be ordered here: http://store.arjenlucassen.com/preorders.html
October 27th 2013--- Following the standing ovation John received when he appeared with Steve Hackett at a sold out Royal Albert Hall, he is now back in the studio with ASIA working on their next studio album.
September 26th 2013--- Please click here for John's recent interview with Radio Tangra prior to the show in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
September 11th 2013--- For those following John's guest appearances, you may be interested to see the two fronts covers that have just been published for the first time: Ayreon's The Theory Of Everything and Prog Collective 2. Click on each image for a larger version.
September 3rd 2013---
Iconic vocalist John Wetton joins progressive band District 97 for a two week US tour featuring the music of King CrimsonJohn Wetton (Asia, UK, King Crimson) records and performs with rising talents District 97 which features popular American Idol female finalist Leslie Hunt.
John said "It goes without saying that I am very much looking forward to once more sharing the stage with District 97---the most exciting, explosive and musical band of its generation. Audiences can also enjoy a little of what blazed the trail 40 years ago in the same evening. How magical!"
District 97 with John Wetton can be seen performing 21st Century Schizoid Band here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJZu4Mylqis
August 30th 2013--- John is pleased to announce that he appears on the new Action Moves People CD. You can hear John's appearance here:
August 30th 2013--- For reasons beyond ASIA's control, Stuttgart, Gothenburg and Oslo are cancelled. Please contact ticket outlets for refunds.
August 30th 2013--- John is pleased to confirm that he will be singing on the next Aryeon album. You can see how the news was announced here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psrN65MpaOk
August 23rd 2013--- Asia is headlining the Roman Theatre, Plovdiv, Bulgaria on September 21st, 2013. John is looking forward to this show in particular and commented "This will be a unique show as an orchestra will be joining the band on stage for some pieces. The venue is of outstanding natural beauty and the whole show will be filmed to become our first DVD with new guitarist Sam Coulson."
August 9th 2013--- John will be touring with Eddie Jobson and Sonja Kristina in Japan this November. Two shows on the 9th and 10th November at Club Citta in Kawasaki have been confirmed.
(Click thumbnail for larger image)
July 24th 2013--- John will be touring with District 97 in the US at the following dates:
10/6-Shank Hall, Milwaukee
10/7-Winchester Music Hall, Lakewood, OH
10/8-Jammin' Java, Vienna VA
10/9-Sellersville Theater, Sellersville, PA
10/11-Regent Theater, Arlington, MA
10/13-Roxy and Duke's Roadhouse, Dunellen, NJ
10/15-Iridium, New York City, New York
10/17-Reggie's Rock Club, Chicago, IL
*10/14-John Wetton w/Les Paul Trio, Iridium, New York City, New York
July 22nd 2013--- John recently had a sneak preview of the new stereo CD with 5.1 DVD of the Steve Hackett Genesis Revisited Hammersmith Apollo show. John is special guest on "Afterglow". It sounds magnificent.
This will be released in October (actual date not yet announced). We'll let you know when we get press / further details from Steve.
Don't forget, John will be reprising the guest spot at The Steve Hackett Genesis Revisited Royal Albert Hall show on October 25.
July 22nd 2013--- ASIA will be playing Harley Davidson Festival in Faak Am See, Austria on the 6th September.
July 21st 2013--- John will be singing with The Les Paul trio at The Iridium, New York City, on October 14th.
July 4th 2013--- John has just returned from a trip to Germany and is now returning to fulfil his schedule, which includes several days in the studio and song writing for Valkyrie. John will also be working on a plan for the re-release of his solo catalogue with bonus material.
June 25th 2013--- ASIA has announced the commencement of recording sessions for the new studio album. A full announcement can be seen here:
June 8th 2013--- ASIA has just completed its second show with new guitarist, Sam Coulson, at Sweden Rock Festival to 15,000 people:
June 7th 2013--- John would like to share these two photos, taken by Mike Inns, from ASIA's recent sold out show at The Stables in Milton Keynes:
June 4th 2013--- 3 more Asia dates for the diary;
May 31st 2013--- Although all seats at Asia's show at The Stables, Milton Keynes have been sold, the venue has agreed to release a limited number of standing room only tickets.
May 8th 2013--- John had the following to say about the forthcoming ASIA show at The Stables on 5th June 2013. "I look forward very much to playing with young guitar player Sam Coulson. The set will feature a unique acoustic section, with songs which have never been performed before in the UK, in addition to the electric set."
Tickets are available here
April 26th 2013--- We can confirm that John sings "What Can Be Done" on the forthcoming Prog Collective 2 CD. We will announce the release date as soon as it is confirmed!
April 23rd 2013--- John and Steve Hackett were interviewed by the BBC during Cruise To The Edge. The news report can be seen through this Youtube link.
April 21st 2013--- John will be making a guest appearance with Steve Hackett at his Aylesbury show on the 9th May.
For more information about the show, please click here
April 7th 2013--- The following photos of John's appearances with UK and Steve Hackett on 'Cruise To The Edge' have just been sent in to us...
Photo credit David Logan:
April 4th 2013--- ASIA is pleased to announce that they will be returning to the venue where Resonance was filmed as part of their forthcoming tour:
5th September 2013 - Z7, Pratteln, Switzerland
March 28th 2013--- ASIA is pleased to announce the following German dates:
THU 29.08.2013 Worpswede Musichall
FRI 30.08.2013 Bochum Zeche
SAT 31.08.2013 Kitzingen Zeltfestival
SUN 01.09.2013 Stuttgart Longhorn
TUE 03.09.2013 Darmstadt Centralstation
March 18th 2013--- UK has confirmed another US date on the 25th April at The Egg in Albany. Click Here for tickets.
March 18th 2013--- John appears as guest vocalist on the new Renaissance album Grandine il Vento, performing a duet with vocalist Annie Haslam accompanied by only the grand piano of keyboardist Rave Tesar.
Although Annie Haslam and John Wetton are life-long friends and musical collaborators, it is not widely known that John Wetton was a touring member of Renaissance briefly in 1971. With this guest vocal appearance, he has finally recorded with the band as well.
Grandine il Vento will be available in April.
A song sample can be found if you click here
March 14th 2013--- John will be performing with UK and District 97 at the following dates:
T 26 CRUISE TO THE EDGE with UK
W 27 CRUISE (Show)
F 29 CRUISE (Show)
S 30 MIAMI - Grand Central (Show) [Cruise docks at 7am - Drive to Miami]
APRIL 2013 with UK
T 02 PANAMA CITY - El Ateneo Theater
F 19 NEW YORK (Show) - Highline Ballroom
S 21 PHILADELPHIA (Show) - World Cafe Live
T 23 BALTIMORE (Show) - Soundstage
F 26 QUEBEC (Show) - Le Cabaret du Capitole
S 27 MONTREAL (Show) - Gesu Amphitheatre
MAY Dates with District 97
May 15th – Reichenbach Bergkeller
May 16th – Verviers Spirit of 66
May 17th - Russelsheim Das Rind-Russelsheim
May 18th – Zoetermeer Boerderij
March 15th 2013--- ASIA will have a special litho for VIPs at The Stables show, an initial draft image can be seen below:
March 13th 2013--- Asia is confirmed to play The Stables, Milton Keynes, UK, on June 5, 2013, 8pm.
The show will be announced next week on the venue website, but Asia fans have the pre-sales opportunity to pre-order best seats in the house on a first come first served basis by writing into email@example.com, such enquiries to be dealt with directly by the theatre.
Additionally, watch this space for details of special VIP packages for sound check meet and greets on the night.
March 12th 2013--- John was saddened to hear of the recent passing of Peter Banks (July 15, 1947 – March 7, 2013). John worked with Peter on his "Two Sides of Peter Banks" solo album, where he first met Phil Collins and Steve Hackett. John extends his condolences to Peter's family.
February 27th 2013--- John has contributed lead vocal to a track on Prog Collective 2 - more details will be announced shortly.
February 14th 2013---
John Wetton will be appearing with the School of Rock at the following dates:
Feb 21: Franklin TN.
Feb 22: Somerville, NJ.
Feb 23: Chatham, NJ .
Feb 24: E.Brunswick, NJ,
More details to follow
February 14th 2013---2012 "XXX" Show To Air On Feb. 14
This exciting ASIA concert is among the final shows performed by the original line-up of the band. The show will be shown on WHYY's "ON CANVAS" show and will air in the Wilmington, Delaware and Philadelphia markets.
February 9th 2013--- ASIA has released a 'Fly on the Wall' youtube video of Sam Coulson in the studio with the band.
February 8th 2013--- "Another date for your diaries – Clumber Park Festival. Friday August 16 [Rockin' the Park]" – watch out for the official announcement.
February 8th 2013--- John would like to share a new 2013 press photo:
January 25th 2013--- John has agreed several dates for the School of Rock starting on Thursday Feb 21st in Nashville and then moving onto the Eastern Seaboard, more details to follow.
January 25th 2013--- John has agreed to guest with Steve Hackett at the following two shows:
Friday 10th May - Hammersmith Apollo, London, UK * SOLD OUT *
Thursday 24 October - Royal Albert Hall, London, UK
January 24th 2013--- John will be performing with UK on the following dates:
Jobson - Wetton - Machacek - Bozzio
W 27 CRUISE (Show)
F 29 CRUISE (Show)
S 30 MIAMI - Grand Central (Show)
T 02 PANAMA CITY (Show)
T 04 ATLANTA - Variety Playhouse (Show)
January 10th 2013--- John Wetton to guest with District 97 in May 2013
District 97 is undoubtedly the most musically adventurous rock band in the world to feature an American Idol Top 10 Female Finalist. The band now comes to Europe for the first time touring behind their second opus, Trouble With Machines. With her fantastic voice, and looks to match, singer Leslie Hunt has captured the imagination of the male-oriented prog rock scene. Complexity is one of the hallmarks of District 97's compositions but the album is laced with catchy vocal melodies. The track "The Perfect Young Man" features a guest vocal appearance by legendary Progressive Rock icon, John Wetton (KING CRIMSON/ASIA/UK ). For these very special shows, John will join District 97 live onstage for that song, as well as a selection of songs from his time in King Crimson, most of which he hasn't performed live since the 1970s. This is truly a unique opportunity to hear the very best of Progressive Rock: past, present and future.
15/5-Bergkeller Reichenbach
16/5-Spirit of 66, Veviers, Belgium
17/5- Das Rind: Ressuesheim
18/5-Cultuurpodium Boerderij
January 10th 2013---
New Guitarist, Sweden Rock, New Album
If 2012 was a year to remember for ASIA, with the release of the acclaimed studio album 'XXX' marking the band's thirtieth anniversary, then 2013 is set to be another. John
Wetton, Geoff Downes and Carl Palmer are delighted to announce that not only do they
have an incredible talent in place to step into Steve Howe's shoes, but also that their first
international show with newcomer Sam Coulson will be a high profile performance at
Sweden Rock 2013. Sam is a wonderful player, world-renowned amongst guitar
virtuosos. Additionally, a new studio album, to be entitled 'Valkyrie', will be recorded
for Frontiers Records during 2013 continuing the band's relationship with the label.
John Wetton said, "ASIA is ready to take its next steps along this remarkable road. We
cannot wait to perform again for the fans and also to unveil some of the new material, of
which we are very proud". Geoff Downes said, "We look forward to writing another
chapter in Asia's history". Carl Palmer commented, "We're all looking forward to the
next decade of great ASIA music".
Sam Coulson, Geoff Downes, John Wetton and Carl Palmer
ASIA formed as a supergroup of stunning pedigrees, bringing together songwriter, lead vocalist
and bassist John Wetton [King Crimson, UK], keyboardist Geoff Downes [Yes, The Buggles],
drummer extraordinaire Carl Palmer [ELP] and Steve Howe [Yes]. Their self-titled debut album
was the biggest selling album in the world in 1982 and monopolized the Number 1 slot in the
Billboard charts for 9 weeks. The album is still in the top 3 Geffen sales of all time, with Guns 'n' Roses and Whitesnake! With tracks like mega-hit 'Heat Of The Moment', ASIA helped to
create the MTV phenomenon. The band's work perfected the use of videos that encompassed
stories and messages, examples being the work for 'Wildest Dreams', 'Only Time Will Tell', 'The Smile Has Left Your Eyes' and 'Don't Cry'. 'Heat Of The Moment' is still a radio fixture
and has been in top TV and films including '40 Year Old Virgin', 'South Park', 'Cold Case', 'The Matador' and countless others.
In 2006 the original band reunited for a tour of USA, which was followed by four world tours and
several continental tours. The reunited band has played over 300 shows and released three new
studio albums, three DVDs and a number of live albums. The track 'An Extraordinary Life',
from 2008's album 'Phoenix' was chosen as the theme music for America's Got Talent. This is a
band with plenty more to say.
With a new guitarist in place, Sweden Rock confirmed and more high profile live dates to come,
plus a new album slated for release, the ASIA trajectory continues: onward and upwards!
For more information please contact email@example.com or call 0845 601 2833 in the UK; in the
US and other markets please contact email@example.com or call 585-454-2756. See also www.originalasia.com
December 21st 2012--- John Wetton is on CNN Headline News at ten minutes past the hour from 6am to 11am, offering a supportive message to the troops around the world.
December 17th 2012--- The Matador, featuring Pierce Brosnan and "Heat of the Moment", is on UK TV (BBC1) tonight, 11.20pm.
December 13th 2012--- For immediate release, London, England
ASIA, featuring the original line-up of Geoff Downes (keyboards), Steve Howe (guitar), Carl Palmer (drums) and John Wetton (lead vocal, bass), has been forced to cancel the 30th Anniversary UK Tour due to drummer Carl Palmer coming down with a severe case of E. coli.
Tickets are refundable from the point of purchase.
A list of the cancelled dates are as follows –
Tavistock The Wharf (Dec 15)
Holmfirth Picturedrome (Dec 16)
Edinburgh Queen's Hall (Dec 17)
Salisbury City Hall (Dec 19)
Birmingham Town Hall (Dec 20)
Manchester Royal Northern College of Music (Dec 21)
London o2 Shepherds Bush Empire (Dec 22)
For further information please contact:
Peter Noble at Noble PR Consultancy
Tel: 0207 272 7772, firstname.lastname@example.com
November 30th 2012--- John will be interviewed on Forest FM on the 6th December between 8-10pm. This can be heard online at www.forestfm.co.uk
November 13th 2012--- ASIA can declare that their Holmfirth show on the forthcoming UK tour has sold out.
November 13th 2012--- The last few tickets for ASIA's Manchester show are selling fast...
November 9th 2012--- Here's a photo from one of the camera positions from the ASIA Live AXS TV show, beaming into 35 million US households:
November 6th 2012--- We are pleased to confirm that Steve Hackett's Genesis Revisited II, on which John sings Afterglow, has entered number 24 in the UK national charts.
November 2nd 2012--- ASIA is pleased confirm its St. Charles show has SOLD OUT!
October 30th 2012--- ASIA is pleased confirm its Clearwater, Florida show has SOLD OUT!
October 29th 2012--- Unfortunately, ASIA's Annapolis show has been cancelled due to hurricane Sandy.
October 28th 2012--- As hurricane Sandy proceeds up the east coast of the US and several areas are placed under warning status, ASIA recommends that fans check with promoters regarding venues within the hurricane area. Currently, there is a state of emergency in the Annapolis area and the band is constantly monitoring the situation.
October 22nd 2012--- The Raised in Captivity t-shirts continue to be popular around the world, as modelled by Mari in the below photo. The t-shirts are available through the recently re-designed Cybershop.
October 12th 2012--- ASIA's North American tour started yesterday with a sell out show in Quebec !
September 24th 2012--- ASIA is pleased to confirm that all dates on their 30th Anniversary Japanese Tour have SOLD OUT !
September 20th 2012--- Some additional stock of My Own Time by Kim Dancha (with a foreword by John Wetton) has become available, which can be purchased via the below Paypal button for $30.00
September 6th 2012--- John was delighted to present Rick Wakeman with the 'Prog God' award at last night's Progressive Music Awards at Kew Gardens, London:
July 10th 2012--- John and his new Il Gatto Nero bass are featured in an advert for Zon's Legacy bass guitars:
July 8th 2012---
June 29th 2012--- Here's a photo from NEARfest showing John with Roger Dean and Annie Haslam:
(Photo by and © Larry Fast)
June 25th 2012--- Asia is pleased to announce "Face on the Bridge" has broken into the top 20 on the Classic Rock Mediabase chart in the US.
June 22nd 2012--- Asia is pleased to announce further US/Canadian tour dates, a tour list is below:
Oct 11 - Quebec City QC, Le Cabaret du Capitole
Oct 12 - Montreal QC, Corona
Oct 13 - Niagara Falls NY, Seneca Bears Den
Oct 14 - Kingston NY, Ulster PAC
Oct 17 - Red Bank NJ, Count Basie Theatre
Oct 18 - Boston MA, Wilbur Theatre
Oct 19 - Westbury NY, Westbury Theatre
Oct 20 - Philadelphia PA, Keswick Theatre
Oct 21 - Wilmington DE, Opera House
Oct 23 - Verona NY, Turning Stone Casino
Oct 25 - Ridgefield CT, Ridgefield Playhouse
Oct 26 - Uncasville CT, Mohegan Sun
Oct 27 - New York NY, Best Buy Theatre
Oct 28 - York PA, Strand Captial
Oct 30 - Annapolis MD, Rams Head On Stage
Oct 31 - Pittsburgh PA, Carnegie Hall of Homestead
Nov 01 - Royal Oak MI, Royal Oak
Nov 02 - St. Charles, IL, Arcada Theatre
Nov 03 - Sloan, IA, Winnavegas Casino Showroom
Nov 07 - San Francisco CA, The Regency Ballroom
Nov 08 - Santa Ynez, CA, Chumash Casino
Nov 09 - Agoura Hills, CA, Canyon Club
Nov 10 - Las Vegas, NV, Green Valley Casino
Nov 11 - San Juan Capistrano, CA, Coach House
Nov 13 - Scottsdale, AZ, Talking Stick Casino
Nov 15 - Houston TX, House Of Blues
Nov 16 - Dallas, TX, Granada Theater
Nov 17 - Austin, TX, One World Theatre (2 shows)
Nov 19 - Atlanta GA, Variety Playhouse
Nov 20 - Clearwater FL, Capitol Theatre
Nov 21 - Orlando FL, Fl Plaza Theatre
Nov 23 - Manistee, MI, Little River Casino Resort
May 30th 2012--- Members of Asia will be joining a web chat scheduled for Sunday, June 10, at 8 PM (UK time). Visit the Asia guestbook and sign up to participate!
May 29th 2012--- The four piece line-up of UK has been confirmed as headlining NEARfest on June 24, 2012 at the Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA. http://nearfest.com/news.asp#86
May 17th 2012--- Here's a pic of John with friend Mari at the Trading Boundaries show:
May 10th 2012--- ASIA is pleased to announce two more 2012 dates:
Nov 20 - Clearwater, FL Capitol Theatre
Nov 21 - Orlando FL Plaza Theatre
May 10th 2012--- John would like to share this photograph taken with Terry Bozzio, Mike Portnoy and Eddie Jobson:
May 8th 2012--- ASIA is pleased to announce additional dates on its 2012 US Tour:
Oct 30 - Annapolis, MD, Rams Head On Stage
Nov 01 - Royal Oak, MI, Royal Oak
Nov 02 - St. Charles, IL, Arcada Theatre
Nov 03 - Sloan, IA, Winnavegas Casino Showroom
Nov 08 - Santa Ynez, CA, Chumash Casino
Nov 09 - Agoura Hills, CA, Canyon Club
Nov 10 - Las Vegas, NV, Green Valley Casino
Nov 11 - San Juan Capistrano, CA, Coach House
Nov 13 - Scottsdale, AZ, Talking Stick Casino
Nov 16 - Dallas, TX, Granada Theater
Nov 17 - Austin, TX, One World Theatre (2 shows)
Nov 23 - Manistee, MI, Little River Casino Resort
May 8th 2012--- John would like to share this photograph taken with Terry Bozzio and Michael Cartellone, who played drums on all of the tracks on Battle Lines:
May 2nd 2012--- John would like to share this photograph with District 97:
April 27th 2012--- The Legacy Continues......John's new Zon VII.
BRITISH SUPERGROUP CELEBRATES 30th ANNIVERSARY WITH WORLD TOUR AND 30th ANNIVERSARY EDITION OF DEBUT ALBUM
Three Decades Later...The Legacy Continues!
Asia releases new studio album "XXX" with original line-up: Geoff Downes, Steve Howe, Carl Palmer & John Wetton
Mainland Europe Release: June 29th
UK Release: July 2nd
North American Release: July 3rd
PLANET ROCK TICKET PRE-SALE FOR UK DECEMBER TOUR STARTS WEDNESDAY 25th at 9am
Thirty years after its eponymous debut album, ASIA ascended to the top of the Billboard Top 100 chart (where the album remained No.1 for 9 consecutive weeks). The legendary British classic rock band returns with a new studio album, a 30th Anniversary edition of their debut album, 2 DVDs, and a world tour that includes UK, Europe, Japan and America.
ASIA will release their new studio album "XXX" (pronounced Triple X) via Frontiers Records, on Monday July 2nd. The new album, produced by Mike Paxman, has been hailed as ASIA's best album since its classic early 80s releases. The album will be released on CD, collector's edition CD/DVD (featuring new music videos and behind the scenes footage), and on a limited edition vinyl.
The first single taken from the highly anticipated new album is entitled "Face On The Bridge", released digitally worldwide on Monday May 14th.
"We're very pleased with, and confident about, XXX," says John Wetton. "It encapsulates, lyrically and instrumentally, the essence of the band today. However, it is the very same four people that gave you the original, iconic album 30 years ago. If you loved it then, you will love it now."
Says Asia's guitarist, Steve Howe; "We wanted to recapture the energy of the first album, ASIA has always been about great songs, fantastic musicianship and I am sure fans of the first album, will fall in love with XXX."
Total Time 49:41
Total Time: 60:20
Total Time: 29:40
In addition ASIA has also completed "Resonance", a DVD concert film of the group's 2010/2011 Omega World Tour, captured live in Switzerland which will be released subsequently.
To celebrate their 30th Anniversary, ASIA will release a collector's edition box set based on their legendary 1982 eponymous debut album, supported by a myriad of ASIA releases in 2012.
The 30th anniversary edition of their debut album will feature 2 audio CDs (a re-mastered edition of the debut album, plus a CD of live rare tracks), an expansive historical booklet, a limited edition ASIA T-shirt, goodies from ASIA's 1982 tour, plus a DVD of the new band documentary: ASIA - 30 Years On. A newly commissioned painting by Roger Dean updates the symbolic dragon and pearl from 1982 to 2012, the Year of The Water Dragon (in the Chinese calendar).
UK 48-Hour Ticket Pre-sale starts Wednesday 25th April
Book Online: www.planetrock.com
UK Tickets on sale to the general public from Friday 27th April
24 Hour Ticket Hotline: 0844 478 0898
Book Online: www.thegigcartel.com
VIP Tickets will be available from originalasia.com.
Tavistock The Wharf
Saturday 15th December
Tickets £22.50, £25.00 / Doors 8pm
Box Office: 01822 611166
Canal Road, Tavistock, PL19 8AT
Holmfirth Picturedrome
Sunday 16th December
Tickets £22.50, £25.00 / Doors 7:30pm
Box Office: 0844 478 0898, 0871 230 1101
Market Walk, Holmfirth, HD9 7DA
Edinburgh Queen's Hall
Monday 17th December
Tickets £25.00 / Doors 7pm
Box Office: 0844 478 0898, 0131 668 2019
85-89 Clerk Street, Newington, Edinburgh, EH8 9JG
Salisbury City Hall
Wednesday 19th December
Tickets £25.00 / Doors 7.30pm
Box Office: 01722 434434
Malthouse Lane, Salisbury, SP2 7TU
Birmingham Town Hall
Thursday 20th December
Tickets £25.00 / Doors 7.30pm
Box Office: 0121 345 0600
Victoria Square, Birmingham, B3 3DQ
Manchester Royal Northern College of Music
Friday 21st December
Tickets £25.00 / Doors 7pm
Box Office: 0161 907 5555, firstname.lastname@example.com
124 Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9RD
London O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
Saturday 22nd December
Tickets £22.50, £25.00 / Doors 7pm
Box Office: 0844 477 2000
Shepherds Bush Green, London, W12 8TT
April 19th 2012--- John recently gave an interview to Something Else Reviews, which can be seen through these two links:
Something Else Reviews Interview Part 1
Something Else Reviews Interview Part 2
April 4th 2012--- The complete UK Night After Night World Tour has now been announced:
Jobson - Wetton - Bozzio lineup
May 01 - The Vic Theater, Chicago IL, USA [on sale now]
May 02 - Showcase Live, Boston MA, USA [on sale now]
May 04 - The Highline Ballroom, New York NY, USA [SOLD OUT]
May 06 - Sound Stage, Baltimore MD, USA [on sale now]
May 07 - World Cafe Live at The Queen, Wilmington DE, USA [tickets on sale Friday April 6]
May 08 - World Cafe Live, Philadelphia PA, USA [SOLD OUT]
May 10 - Cabaret du Capitole, Québec, Canada [on sale now]
May 11 - The Gesù Amphitheatre, Montréal, Canada [SOLD OUT]
May 12 - Sound Academy, Toronto, Canada [on sale now]
May 14 - The Triple Door, Seattle WA, USA [on sale now]
May 17 - Aladdin Theater, Portland OR, USA [on sale now]
May 18 - The Regency Ballroom, San Francisco CA, USA [on sale now]
May 20 - The El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles CA, USA [on sale now]
May 21 - Mesa Arts Center, Phoenix AZ, USA [on sale now]
Jobson - Wetton - Machacek - Husband lineup
May 24 - Under The Bridge, London, England [on sale now]
May 26 - De Boerderij, Amsterdam, (Zoetermeer), Netherlands [on sale now]
May 27 - Colos-Saal, Frankfurt, (Aschaffenberg), Germany [on sale now]
May 29 - Lucerna Music Bar, Prague, Czech Republic [on sale now]
May 30 - Klub Studio, Krakow, Poland [on sale now]
June 14 - Club Citta, Tokyo, Japan [tickets on sale soon...]
June 15 - Club Citta, Tokyo, Japan [SOLD OUT]
June 16 - Club Citta, Tokyo, Japan [SOLD OUT]
June 17 - Club Citta, Tokyo, Japan [SOLD OUT]
June 19 - Namba Hatch, Osaka, Japan [on sale now]
June 21 - Club Citta, Tokyo, Japan
January 23rd 2012--- Another date has been added to UK's 2012 tour plans:
May 10 2012- Cabaret du Capitole, Québec, Canada [on sale now]
January 15th 2012--- Two further dates have been added to UK's 2012 tour plans:
May 02 2012- Showcase Live, Boston, USA [tickets on sale Jan. 20 (6pm)]
May 17 2012 - Aladdin Theater, Portland, USA [on sale now]
January 11th 2012--- Steve Hackett will be joining John on stage at his Trading Boundaries show tomorrow night! This makes John's first solo show in 8 year even more special.
January 3rd 2012--- John will be performing with U.K. at the following dates:
May 04 2012- The Highline Ballroom, New York, USA [tickets on sale date TBA]
May 08 2012 - World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, USA [tickets on sale Jan. 14]
May 11 2012 - The Gesù Amphitheatre, Montréal, Canada [on sale now (VIP tickets - SOLD OUT)]
May 14 2012 - The Triple Door, Seattle, USA [tickets on-sale Jan. 13]
May 18 2012 - The Regency Ballroom, San Francisco, USA [tickets on sale Jan. 15]
More dates to be announced soon...
December 21st, 2011--- John will be performing with U.K. at the first announced tour date at The Gesu Amphitheatre in Montreal on May 11th 2012.
December 15th, 2011--- John would like to share the designs for his Raised in Captivity Tour merchandise:
December 8th, 2011--- Due to reasons beyond our control, we regret to inform fans that the Leamington Spa show of 13th January is now cancelled.
Please contact the venue for ticket refunds.
John's calendar looks very busy for 2012, but we hope to find another opportunity to reschedule the date in the future.
We will keep you informed of any developments.
November 26th, 2011--- John would like to share another picture from his recent guest appearance with Steve Hackett, he's given this shot the title "on the bench":
(Photo Credit: David Scarlett)
November 18th, 2011--- John would like to share a picture from his recent guest appearance with Steve Hackett, this particular shot shows him with Amanda Lehmann:
(Photo credit Jo Hackett)
November 16th, 2011--- Tonight there will be a gala performance of West End hit musical ROCK OF AGES, featuring "Heat of the Moment", in aid of the BBC charity CHILDREN IN NEED - http://www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/. This will be a normal performance with full cast but features Pudsey Bear (the mascot for the charity). However, 100% of face value of tickets for this event are donated by ROA to Children in Need, less VAT and booking fee or commission for tickets purchased through an agent. Artists have agreed to waive all royalties.
Shaftesbury Theatre
210 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8DP
November 14th, 2011--- John is proud to be supporting 'Movember' by growing a moustache. 'Movember' helps raise funds for Prostate and Testicular Cancer charities and you can support John through this link:
November 3rd, 2011--- John is pleased to announce he will joining Steve Hackett on stage at two of his forthcoming solo shows to perform Firth of Fifth:
10th November 2011 -The Wharf Tavistock
13th November 2011 -02 Academy Islington
October 26th, 2011--- John is pleased to announce another UK date in support of Raised in Captivity. This show will feature a special appearance by Roger Dean, who will be exhibiting original paintings and prints of artwork connected with John's career, as well as announcing John as he comes on stage.
Thursday 12th January 2012 - Fletching, East Sussex- Trading Boundaries
October 5th, 2011--- John is pleased to announce the below UK date in support of Raised in Captivity:
Friday 13th January 2012 - Leamington Spa - The Assembly
September 25th, 2011--- John is pleased to announce the below Japanese dates in support of Raised in Captivity:
Tuesday 17th January 2012 - Tokyo: Shibuya Club Quattro
Wednesday 18th January 2012 - Osaka: Shangri-La
September 23rd, 2011--- John has often guested with Excalibur: The Celtic Rock Opera and we are pleased to announce the first two albums and an archive live album have been released as a special box set in France:
Click HERE to purchase a copy
September 23rd, 2011--- Following a recent discussion about Dr Who on John's guestbook, the below archive picture has re-surfaced:
(Photo credit Kim Dancha)
August 24th, 2011--- Raised in Captivity is released in Japan on King Records today. The album comes with two bonus tracks 'Face To Face' and 'After All', the latter being included in aid of the Japanese Tsumani Relief Fund. Ahead of an announcement of Japanese dates later this year, John has provided his insights into these two tracks:
Face to Face:
If you'd asked my tech, the Admiral Ricky Nelson, about this piece, he would tell you he'd
heard it at soundchecks the world over when I might doodle on Geoff's rig during our ritual Asia
tonprobe. When I brought it into the studio, I had every intention of recording it as I had imagined---
with a Fender-Rhodes sound on the close harmony keyboard, and an intimate, breathy vocal. First of all, Billy reminded me that the keyboard
chord sequence (in its present voicing) was reminiscent of a Santana song ('I'm Winning", I think)---then Billy's wife (from outside the studio) thought is was
a Journey song . It all boiled down to a movement in the chord, which started in 'C' , then moved to the relative minor (A),where the chord became a minor 9th,
a very distinctive little monkey indeed, but not a Capital Offense. I changed the chord so we could all sleep soundly in our beds, without fear of the Copyright Stasi,
but it lost some of its beauty and closeness in the process. So, the song trudged down a 'rocky' road-----the vocal harmonies are nice, but possibly too strident, and the barbershop
answering phrases on the last verse sound contrived. This sounds like a critique, which it is--but I still think that the tune holds up, and the sentiment is delivered, but it's over-produced---to my mind, anyway.
That's no-one's fault, but all I'm saying is I'll probably have another shot at it someday. It's a bonus track, and as such, I hope you enjoy it---not only in South East Asia Pacific Rim, but wherever you might hear it.
After All:
My visit to Japan earlier this year left me overwhelmed with a myriad of incredibly powerful feelings for a country that has not only played a significant part in my journey, but has become integral to the woven fabric of my life.
When John Young and I wrote
After All
for 'Arkangel' in 1997, I had in mind an old friend who had a serious, life-threatening illness. Unfortunately, my friend didn't beat the disease, but he died with dignity, and he spent the last months of his life setting up a foundation for research that others may not have the same fate--------to give hope to others. 'Hope' is the operative word here ------the Japanese spirit is renowned for its stoic resilience ---there is even a word for this anima---'Ganbaro'. And 'After All' is a Ganbaro track from which all proceeds (thankyou John Young) will go to the Japanese Tsunami Relief Fund. It was always a stage favourite at my past solo shows, and will certainly feature in the JW Japanese shows later this year. I hope those who have never heard it before will enjoy it in the spirit of today, and for those who already know the song, please
enjoy the song, and allow the message to sink in.
God bless you. P & x, John.
August 22nd, 2011--- John has provided a track by track breakdown of Raised in Captivity:
Lost for Words:
A Cyrano de Bergerac situation. Most people tell me that I have verbal dysentery when it comes to lyrics---- so, they say, how could I have a song called 'Lost for Words'. Well the truth is, I wasn't always as verbose as I am now. This track owes more to UK than to any other influence, but the lyric harks back to a time when I would visit the 'lexicon magician' from verse 3. This is Pete Brown (who wrote lots of fabulous lyrics, including Cream's "Sunshine of your Love") . Pete lived in Portman Square, in London's West End, and lived in the penthouse
overlooking the upper-crust citadel. Watching first-hand how he constructed a lyric helped me no end. Not in constructing lyrics, but having confidence to 'just do it'. 'Black stretch limo' is Pete's 'Politician'. The whole track has energy, edge, rock, and a blistering solo from Deep Purple's Steve Morse. The song is unusual in that it has two choruses, i.e. the pre-chorus is like another chorus.
Raised in Captivity:
The subject matter here is growing up in post-war midlands of England, with austere rationing, Draconian schools, and Victorian morality hanging over our head like the sword of Damocles---everyone smoking and drinking like it was compulsory---something had to give. Well, it did, and we got the '60s. All change for the oblivion express---free love, sex, drugs and rock'n'roll, no-holds-barred. Did we know what to do with it? I suppose so. But from what we had in the '50s, it was too much, too soon. It's a concept I'd held back from 1992, in California---and should have been the title track of 'Battle Lines'---my friend Richard Starkey certainly thought so---but better late than never.Billy's aggressive guitars on the track perfectly foil Robert Fripp's Soundscape bookends. I wish I had taken the pre-chorus bridges to the major, I keep singing that in the car, and it would have been killer.
Goodbye Elsinore:
As has already been stated---this song was conceived on the Sea Ferry between Denmark and Sweden. I was on my way to a classical concert by Vilde Frang, the Norwegian violinist, in the little town of Helsingborg, Sweden.
Helsingor is where I was sailing from, and the journey takes about one hour. During that time, the tune, chords and most of the lyric came to me for part one of the song . I had to bark into my cell phone atop The 'Hamlet', as my ferry was so aptly named.
It was a beautiful, clear afternoon, with a blue sky, and the sun shining, winter cold, but fresh, and inspiring.
The lyric is about freedom, but in this instance, the singer has something to hide as he escapes to freedom. He doesn't tell us what the 'crime' involves, but it must be something serious. A great solo from Steve Hackett, typically him----I saw him recently, and he's also pleased with his contribution, and likes the song a lot. The choral canon at the end is my penance, obeisance to Brian Wilson. I usually will put one rather large nod to the Beach Boys on each solo album, because without them, there would be no musical me.
The Last Night of my Life:
You'll see the motif 'Live each day as if 'twere your last' all over this album. It all started with Steffi's Ring, but it sums up how I live my life today. It's Carpe Diem, Kairos, and One Day at a Time all rolled into one.
To make the most of every day, every moment, because we won't get the time back---this is no rehearsal, this is real life---yesterday we can not re-create, tomorrow hasn't happened yet, so now is all we have, let's enjoy it.
Alex Machacek does a fabulous modal solo on this , he doffs his cap to Allan Holdsworth, but Alex makes it his own . The lyrics are upbeat, a 'from darkness to light' sentiment like a lot of my stuff that's autobiographical.
You can sing the old song 'Tequila' over the intro. I only discovered that as I was driving along in Mexico City last May. At the same time, I discovered a static harmony which I wish I'd put into the block. Too late, ah.
We Stay Together:
A bonus track for the non-Pacific Rim territories, it's a Billy Sherwood idea (which he already had a title for, but I wrote the lyric, and re-titled it). When I put the harmonies on the chorus, we kind of knew this would work. I noticed that this one
took stick for being 'cliched' . That's a laugh coming from a melodic metal magazine. It is what it is, and I like it more the more I get used to the album. It's a song about commitment, that we're in for the long haul, not just a one-nighter.
The Human Condition :
All of the lyrics on this bluesy little monkey read like a diary of our three weeks in California making the record. There was a 'Lockdown' by the LAPD, sirens, choppers, escaped cop-killer. The '5 cool million in Nigeria' is a reference to the bogus business deals that bombard us hourly from spurious Nigerian moguls. The 'holy pardon carried by a Seraphim' is the license to record a non-melodic rocker (ie a blues, albeit Def Leppard/ Mutt Lang-ish white boy blues)for this album which was given a 'hard rock priority or no deal' brief by our President, Serafino.
Steffi's Ring :
My ex (Dylan's Mother) and I went on a 'cultural' trip to Shanghai in 2007---long after we had split--we're still friends, and we still have Dylan in common, so we remain civil. She flies for a European National airline,
and the destination was my choice. I had recently seen 'Mission Impossible', and was fascinated by the outrageously hi-tech architecture juxtaposed with the centuries-old Imperial culture. We spent a weekend in Shanghai (it had far more allure for me than Beijing), and the overall resulting impression was disappointing. The buildings are incredible, and the city is breathtaking, but there is no room for sentimentality---the air in Shanghai is caustic, pollution pours into rivers, piracy is everywhere, as is filth, and basic manners are non-existent. One of our 'tasks' for the weekend was to buy a specific "Lovers' knot" ring for a mutual friend . We went to the appropriate market, and after much searching---and haggling---a ring was found. But not before I'd seen one with an inscription on the inside--which said ''Vive Omnes Dies Sicut Ultima' ---'Live every day as if it were your last'. This became my mantra for the album. I had to do the trick with my cellfone again, and in the middle of the Jade Temple I was muttering into my mobile, and 'Steffi's Ring' was born. Some of the lyrics refer inevitably to the new owner of the ring, and if you have the required imagination, you can make your own landscape of verse two, but the song came out extremely well, my good mate Geoff 'Bob'Downes plays a fabulous solo, and the song is over way too early. I could have gone to town on the lyrics, doubled the length,and turned it into an epic, but I kinda like it short and sweet.
The Devil and the Opera House:
The story of the conception of this song is well-documented on the CD sleeve notes---A concept by myself and Richard Palmer-James in our home town of Bournemouth. Eddie Jobson cast as the Devil, it's a song that my friend Peter Viney (musicologist and historian) says would have been a huge hit 20 years ago. That's as maybe, but it's still a really good song, spectacular lyrics from RP-J, great soloing from EJobson, and a Henley Homage vocal, complete with Aquiline harmonies.
New Star Rising:
This song was born in Criteria studios, Miami , 31 years ago. It was one of a batch of songs (Heat of the Moment, Ride Easy, Here Comes The Feeling)that I wrote on the old Bosendorfer Grand in the studio after everyone had left for the evening.
It never found a home until now. Originally titled 'Now or Never', it even went through 2 more title changes during recording in California. 'Big Star Falling' was one, but I'm glad I settled on 'NSR'. Billy Sherwood did a lot of work on this track, as it didn't seem to want to format. Billy kept changing the arrangement until it fit, and I'm grateful to him for that. Mickey Box does the honours with a truly rockin' solo, and there are Beach Boys nods everywhere(BS is also a fan).
Don't Misunderstand Me:
A very misunderstood song, I think. Someone on this site said they didn't comment on this song because it was something they expected from me. I find that strange, because this is my natural inclination--left to my own devices, most of my songs would be like this one---good chord sequence, nice sentiment, retro production, and skillfully engineered so that the top note is my top note (the 'A' at the top of the chorus is my top , most powerful note in full voice---Celine Dion would have eked this out for about 15 seconds!). It was written just before the collapse of a six-month relationship with a Scottish girl,someone I cared for a lot, and made me wonder what I was looking for in a woman,also what my motives are----- and it taught me that honesty is of prime importance in affairs of the heart. I wrote the song on piano (it was one that was presented for 'Omega', but got shot down in flames by Mike Paxman before it was really aired)and played all of the keyboards (piano, mellotron, synth) except the Hammond Organ. The best bit for me (apart from the faux Rachmaninov chord sequence) is the vocal block behind the second verse, where the voices form the 'pad'. It's a device that Abba used brilliantly, and Asia's Alpha's The Smile has Left Your Eyes employs it (also in the second verse). I love the mellotrons in the chorus, and I wish we'd done a banjo solo instead of the chorus after the bridge, a half step key-change after that taking the choruses out would have been spectacular. As you may have noticed, this is my fave track at the moment. The mellotrons, lead vocal and piano were recorded by Steve Rispin at Liscombe.
Mighty Rivers :
If ever anyone deserved the title 'brother', it is Jeff Fayman. He is one of my best friends, and we have similar values, musical tastes, and experiences.
He is someone I trust implicitly, and would definitely call on him if ever I needed a pal. He lives the Hollywood dream. He has a successful production company, and deals
with orchestras, choirs, and film companies on a daily basis. However, he is a regular guy, and above all, a King Crimson fan. Through an introduction by mutual friend Robert Fripp, we met,
worked together, and produced some pretty good stuff (a lot of which you haven't heard yet, some of which you have---'Orchard of Mines' from Phoenix, and now 'Mighty Rivers'). Jeff had me sing with Anneke van Giersbergen
on 'Mighty Rivers' some years ago, and I fell in love with Anneke's voice. We went on to record 'To Catch a Thief' on iCon II, and the same song, as an acoustic duet, on Anneke's solo album. We have still not met.
July 27th, 2011--- Raised in Captivity has also charted in the US Heatseeker chart, coincidentally at #79, the same position it reached in the US National chart.
July 21st, 2011--- Raised in Captivity is holding its own in the charts, remaining in the Canadian Amazon 'Bestsellers in Music' Top 40 since its release.
July 18th, 2011--- Raised in Captivity continues to receive chart success, having enjoyed positions of #53 in the UK Amazon Rock Chart and #79 US National Top New Releases Chart.
July 18th, 2011--- Here's a pic of John with Jordan Rudess and Mike Mangini from Dream Theater at Sonisphere Festival, Madrid on Saturday.
Speacial note should be taken of John's T-shirt:
July 15th, 2011--- Raised in Captivity peaked at #15 in the Canadian Amazon Canada Top 100 Chart and #9 Top Seller Of This Week for New Releases on CD Universe.
July 12th, 2011--- Raised in Captivity is released in America today, fans in the US can purchase the album here.
July 4th, 2011--- John is proud to announce the release of his new studio album, RAISED IN CAPTIVITY, which is OUT NOW ! Fans throughout Europe will be able to buy the CD this week and fans in America will be able to be able to purchase from next week (12th July). Fans in the UK can purchase the album here.
June 30th, 2011--- For those who have enjoyed listening to John's appearance on BBC Radio with Sue Marchant, here are two behind the scenes photographs:
June 28th, 2011--- John appeared on BBC Radio last night to discuss Raised in Captivity and life in general. Click Here to listen.
May 30th, 2011--- John would like to share the front cover image for Raised in Captivity:
May 25th, 2011--- John recently gave an interview to Spanish language newspaper Las Ultimas Noticias. Click Here to View.
May 25th, 2011--- The Japanese release date for Raised in Captivity is 24th August 2011 on King Records
May 23rd, 2011---
Frontiers Records is proud to announce the release of the sixth solo album by esteemed British singer/songwriter John Wetton; RAISED IN CAPTIVITY is due out on July 1st in Europe and the 12th in North America. The album was recorded in Los Angeles during a brief break between touring commitments and is produced and mixed by multi-instrumentalist Billy Sherwood (Yes, World Trade, Yoso). The new offering finds Wetton teaming up with current and former musical partners, including some of the biggest names from the British music scene over the past four decades: Genesis' Steve Hackett, King Crimson's Robert Fripp, Deep Purple's Steve Morse and many more. Please see below for a full track listing.
"Raised In Captivity" celebrates yet another milestone in an extraordinary life, a stunning collection of songs reinforcing a career of over 40 years during which John Wetton has created a legacy as one of the greatest singers, musicians and songwriters ever. Respected worldwide by fans and musical peers alike, Wetton's career included a significant period of time in the early eighties when he was the biggest selling singer in the world. Once again characterised by the emotional impact of the material, a necessary component in all Wetton's creativity, "Raised In Captivity" continues an unrivalled career which has brought inspiration to millions worldwide.
Of the new album and choice of producer, Wetton commented, "The decision to record in Los Angeles with Billy Sherwood was entirely mine. I wanted the chaotic urban inspiration, edge and energy to juxtapose the natural beauty that California provides. I also knew that Billy Sherwood would provide the musical and technical ability to record quickly, with ultra high energy and superb production quality." The material was written in a variety of ways, such as "Goodbye Elsinore" was written on the Denmark-Sweden sea ferry en route to a Vilde Frang concert and "The Devil and the Opera House" is co-written with King Crimson collaborator Richard Palmer-James. The album's finale is "Mighty Rivers", featuring the enigmatic Dutch soprano Anneke Van Giersbergen and the Seattle Symphony Orchestra.
John Wetton has been a member of several prominent British bands. After two albums with Family he joined King Crimson from 1972 to 1974, before working with Roxy Music and Uriah Heep. In 1977, with former Crimson band mate and drummer Bill Bruford, he co-founded U.K., which also featured guitarist Allan Holdsworth and keyboardist/violinist Eddie Jobson. After U.K.'s demise, Wetton turned his attentions to a solo career.
In 1982, Wetton became part of the supergroup Asia, together with Steve Howe, Carl Palmer and Geoff Downes. This "fab four" of progressive pop would rule radio and record sales, with their debut album becoming the biggest selling album of the year and yielding the worldwide hit "Heat of the Moment." Wetton remained prolific with more solo studio albums and several collaborative efforts over the years.
In 2002 at a John Wetton fan convention held in Allentown, PA, he started working with Geoff Downes again. This collaboration ultimately resulted a series of iCon studio and live albums and the in the highly-anticipated reunion of Asia's original lineup, bringing about two successful new studio albums: PHOENIX in 2008 and OMEGA in 2010.
John Wetton RAISED IN CAPTIVITY track listing:
"Lost For Words" can be streamed in full on the Frontiers Records web radio
For more information please visit: www.johnwetton.co.uk / www.frontiers.it
May 20th, 2011---
Channel: The Big 80's on 8
Asia hangs with Original VJ Martha Quinn
John Wetton and Geoff Downes from ASIA stop by the 80s studio to talk with Martha Quinn. Their reunion tour, new album, crazy days in the decade of excess...kids, super-models, and much more in the Martha Quinn interview!
Premiere: Thur. 5/26, 12Noon EST
Duration: 1 hr.
Thurs. 5/26, 7pm EST
Fri. 5/27, 2am, 9am & 3pm EST
Sat. 5/28, 5pm EST
May 15th, 2011---
By popular demand, ASIA has announced its 2011 Meet & Greet VIP packages available at most dates on the band's upcoming tour.
This year there will be two packages available:
ASIA $99 Silver VIP PACKAGE
Once again, the ASIA VIP packages will be overseen by Dreamer Media LLC.
TO PURCHASE YOUR VIP PACKAGE please visit: www.originalasiastore.com
May 10th, 2011---John Wetton, Jordan Rudess and Marco Minnemann in New York City:
April 30th, 2011---Annie Haslam of Renaissance was in the audience for ASIA's Keswick Theatre show. The below picture shows Annie with John Wetton and Geoff Downes:
April 16, 2011---The following dates have been added to the ASIA 2011 Omega world tour:
Jun 06 - Millenaris Theatre, Budapest, Hungary
Jun 07 - KC Semilasso, Brno, Czech Republic
Jun 08 - KD Serikova, Pilsen, Czech Republic
Jun 09 - Colos-Saal, Aschaffenburg, Germany
Jun 11 - Het Parrd, Den Haag, Holland
Jun 13 - Bikini, AV / Diagonal, Barcelona, Spain
Jun 14 - La Riviera, Madrid, Spain
Jun 16 - Coliseum, Coruna, Spain
Jun 17 - Aula Magna, Lisbon, Portugal
Jun 18 - PARIS 15, Malaga, Spain
April 15, 2011---John will give a Masterclass at School of Rock, Philadelphia, on the 26th April 2011
April 2, 2011--- ASIA Shows in Central and South America have been announced. The 2011 Omega dates confirmed so far include:
May 20 - Teatro La Cuplula, Santiago, Chile
May 21 - Teatro Colegiales, Buenos Aires, Argentina
May 22 - HSBC Arena, Sao Paulo, Brazil
May 24 - Teatro Metropol, Bogota, Colombia
May 26 - Anfiteatro Sambil, Chacao, Caracas
May 28 - Monterey, Mexico (with YES)
May 30 - Mexico City, Mexico (with YES)
April 2, 2011---UK (featuring Eddie Jobson and John Wetton) is pleased to confirm the below dates are proceeding:
April 8: Boston - Regent Theater (Arlington
April 11: New York - Highline Ballroom
April 15: Tokyo - Club Citta
April 16: Tokyo - Club Citta
April 18: Tokyo - Club Citta
April 23: San Francisco - Regency Ballroom
March 28, 2011
February 8, 2011---ASIA is pleased to announce, by popular demand, they will be playing a second night at the Rams Head Tavern, Annapolis on the 4th May.
February 7, 2011---"Countdown To Zero" was played Sunday night at the SuperBowl during the interview with Charles Woodson (Green Bay Packers).
January 26, 2011---ASIA will be playing May 09 at the Metropolis, Montreal, Canada
January 20, 2011--- Another date has been added to the ASIA 2011 - May 06 - The Turning Stone Casino and Resort, Verona, NY
January 16, 2011--- ASIA's May 03, Annapolis, MD show is sold out! Thank you for the support! Also, details of VIP packages will be made available shortly.
December 20, 2010--- Details of Asia's 2011 touring schedule have started to firm up. Confirmed North American to date are shown are below.
Apr 28 - The State Theatre, Easton, PA
Apr 29 - Keswick Theatre, Glenside, PA
Apr 30 - Tarrytown Music Hall, Tarrytown, NY
May 01 - Birchmere, Alexandria, VA
May 03 - Rams Head Tavern, Annapolis, MD
May 05 - The Mayo Center for the Performing Arts, Morristown, NJ
May 07 - Casino Rama, Rama, ON, Canada
May 12 - Leelanau Sands Casino, Peshawbestown, MI
May 13 - House of Blues, Chicago, IL
May 14 - Pabst Theatre, Milwaukee, WI
December 16, 2010---Once again ASIA have teamed up with instant music specialists Concert Live to produce three limited edition CD sets from their year's Omega Tour. The three specially selected shows are:
17/5/10 Osaka Grand Cube, Japan
10/12/10 HMV Picturehouse, Edinburgh
14/12/10 HMV Forum, London
A limited number of these collector's sets are still available by CLICKING HERE
December 15, 2010---It is with great regret that the band much announce that the Falmouth show tonight is canceled due to an injury to Steve Howe. Ticket holders should contact their point of purchase for a full refund.
December 12, 2010---Due to an illness to Steve Howe, the band will be unable to perform at Birmingham and Holmfirth. The band is expecting to continue the tour in London.
November 26, 2010---John will be interviewed for a special hour long programme on BBC Radio Cambridge by Sue Marchant. Tune in to hear this 8:30pm on Monday 29th November 2010.
October 30, 2010--- John will join Steve Hackett on stage at the Shepperd's Bush Empire (London) on the 30th November for a special guest appearance. The concert will be filmed for a DVD release.
October 27, 2010---ASIA has agreed to play a show in St. Petersburg, Russia on the 7th December 2010 at the Oktiaborski Hall.
October 23, 2010---Fans have been requesting a track by track breakdown of Omega, which John has put together below:
Finger on the Trigger: As we all know, a song originally appearing on Rubicon iCon II, became our Frontiers record company boss Serafino's favourite, and because of this , was re-recorded for Omega. It's more rocky than it's progenitor, but (because of that very fact), for my money, lacks the finesse of the original. John Mitchell, Steve Christey, and Hugh McDowell did a tremendous job on the iCon version, and it was superbly engineered by Rob Aubrey.It's an overtly sexual reference involving plenty phallic and vulvar symbolism.
Through My Veins and Light The Way: Mr.Howe's original songs, completely rearranged, and lyrically re-addressed. If Steve ever puts out a 'Homebrew' with the demo of TMV and LTW, you'll see how they changed. My idea for TMV was a more persistent, U2-type 8th note pulse,with a key-change, and strong harmonies
for the chorus. There is also a sequenced keyboard from GD, but it's quite low in the final mix, but it provided the 'glue' for the preliminary overdubs.
Holy War: Geoff's title, my lyric. I'm a big student of medieval warfare---one of the best authors to read for factual as well as fictional material is Bernard Cornwell--his detail is staggering, and his descriptions of Crusades battles are second-to-none. My lyrics will always give a positive slant, and at the end of the song, just as in another of our anti-war songs, 'Wildest Dreams', the whole message turns on its head,and with the introduction of 'we want no more Holy War', it becomes a pacifist mantra. I got an email from a professor at Cambridge saying what a pleasure it was to see the word 'Trebuchet' in a rock song. The Trebuchet was an original 'WMD', a massive catapult capable of unbelievable destruction and carnage.
Ever Yours: No Asia album would be complete without at least one blatant love song, a no-holds-barred churning bucket of sentimental lurve, with more than a hint at the Universal Power for the Positive--whatever form that takes for you, be it Lady Luck, a Guardian Angel,or your god.
Listen Children: This refers to an event which actually took place, in a village near Grasse, in Provence, southern France, in the summer of 1992. It was a little festival, with children having the time of their lives. With no limitations, curfew, or much parental supervision, an innocent twilight perfect evening, with a band, eating, drinking, and much pleasure, in a balmy , warm, joyful summer village fete. The mood of the lyric is drawn from 'Uncle John's Band' by the Grateful Dead, and the vocal chorus from 'Carry On Wayward Son' by Kansas, but of course, the final result is nothing like either--- these are just some of the reference points in my head.There was an opening for putting 'La Marseillaise' quintone very quietly under 'Ecoutez', it was never done, but I always sing it when I hear the track . It's essentially Geoff's track, with my melody and lyric, some have called it overly sentimental, but I love it.
End of the World: Always one of my favourite from the whole record, it was written towards the end of the recording, when GD and I were very focussed.For me, it's very Asia, from the bombastic intro to the melodic pop chorus. If you don't know what Auto-da-Fe is, it's being damned if you don't, and damned if you do. I love the way the chord sequences dovetail, it's a real Wetton/Downes stereotype---love it. The lyric, of course, is autobiographical--all of my stuff is, just some is more than others. One of the lines that I started the chorus with, but ditched, was 'I don't wanna spend the rest of my days in an alcohol haze'. I preferred 'I believe that God is Love', but it's strange how songs and lyrics start their lives, and how they magically transform into the final version.
There Was A Time: This was a something that came out of one of our (JW/GD)writing sessions at my house, on the 'magic piano'. We developed it further at Geoff's studio in Wales, and lyrically is very much a retrospective look back at a time with a specific person----the woman in question is a spouse/partner---where did it go wrong? What could I have done?As the writer wishes her only the best, it ends with an optimistic 'There will come a time for you' over a brilliant shuffle that Carl does so well, and a superb solo from Mr. Howe.
I'm Still The Same: A tune that I had, a rock-based shuffle which is actually the 'other half' of a ballad, which starts with the same C to Fm modulation. I first mentioned the coupling to Mike Paxman very early on in the recording process, that it would be great to have two songs----one ballad, and one rock--- on the same record, with a chordal, melodic correlation and lyrical continuity. Initially he was excited about the prospect, but when we played the rough sketches on piano, he said 'nice chords, but....." I don't think Mike understood fully what we were capable of at that time. I believe that if we were to present again, he would understand. The finished article (ISTS) doesn't quite hit the spot as far as I'm concerned--it's not rocky enough---the guitar is very jazz, and the drums aren't heavy enough. That's no fault of Steve Howe, or Carl Palmer, it's my fault for not being there at the time. What's also my fault is the fact that the song has no bridge ---there is a 'C' section which was never recorded, and it fits perfectly with the ballad which forms the 'other half' of the piece. Hopefully, you'll hear that in the next year or so. This song has a lovely chorus, but possibly would have benefitted from being an iCon song, with iCon treatment---you never know, that might just happen. The lyric is about a man totally mystified by his partner's about face behaviour, about his partner's head being turned by another, when it is obvious to him that it will never work. We do the strangest things in the name of love, no question that we are considered to be' insane' when in love. Big Brian Wilson influence on vocal harmonies, as usual.
Drop a Stone: Written in Kansas City, at one of our road-writing afternoons in a hotel room on a day off. It is not really the way I had intended, it was meant (in my head) to be more Floydian, spacey, with a huge vocal and massive synthesizers. It is now a blues tune, hence it is a bonus track. Steve does incredibly well on this song, if anything it's turned into a country tinged blues song. The vocal is in-your-face, up close and personal---not the way I had intended, but that's what happens .I suppose, because it was written in Kansas City, it was destined to have a blues flavour. It's about having faith, helping someone else, and about letting go ---sometimes when we think we need to hang on with all our might, the best thing we can do is let go.
Emily: The 'other' bonus track. In my opinion, neither track is a 'bonus' that's just a marketing device, and has nothing to do with what I'm writing about here. Emily--as has been well-documented in my guestbook--was someone I met on the eastern seaboard of the US a couple of years ago. I was genuinely taken by this woman, but on further investigation, discovered she was gay. That is fine, but the moment I was told of her sexual preference, that first verse came to me instantly. When Geoff and I were going through material late one morning, Geoff said 'you got anything else, m8? I pulled out Emily, not thinking that she would fly, but--on the contrary--she also went down extremely well with our producer. I'm really pleased at how she turned out. Numerologically very satisfying-- 'Emily', and 'KAZ 53513' are both '1' combos. It's Britpop in the tradition of the four moptops, the Kinks, XTC, 10cc , et al----a kind of legacy for English musos.
I Believe: One of the last songs written for Omega. On a rainy afternoon in the Welsh Valleys, after a lunch of chicken and Nando's incendiary hot chilli sauce, I pulled out a tune that had been in my head since crossing the Severn Bridge that morning (this bridge links England and Wales, is spectacular, and very very inspiring. Sometimes I just want to stop, and sit for a while--but you're not allowed to --for the mile or so of bridge, you must keep moving).Geoff instantly added the verse, and there we had it. Thankyou, Nando.
Don't Wanna Lose You Now: I just wrote the verse part of the song on 12-string acoustic guitar, and the words fell out of my mouth simultaneously. There was the first verse. I didn't know what it was about (I thought it was a straightforward love song) but it dawned on me that all of these word were saying 'thankyou'--it was a debt of thanks to someone, and it occurred to me that I may be talking to the audience the person listening to the record, or the ticket-holder at a concert. So the rest of the song (including Geoff's beautifully crafted bridges) fell into place. It's about being grateful, not taking anything for granted, and enjoying the moment.
September 24, 2010---Tickets for the ASIA December 2010 HMV Picture House, HMV Institute and HMV Forum shows are now on sale, and can be purchased online.
September 14, 2010---John recently enjoyed the hospitality of his favourite football club, Derby, asking for this photo to be shared.
September 13, 2010---Many thanks to the legions of Asia fans who attended the 28-date American leg of the Omega tour. This was the 5th US tour of the reunion, and the longest yet! We hope to see you again in 2011.
And with the UK tour in December, we will soon be announcing a VIP program for these upcoming shows. Options will include a meet-and-greet with band members, attending sound check, offers for premium ticket purchases and the ultimate experience - sitting on the actual stage within feet of the band! Details are coming soon, so please keep an eye on this news area. VIP programs will be available in the ASIA Gift Shop when they are posted.
September 12, 2010---Details are emerging of a John Wetton solo concert in Rome, Italy on the 6th November 2010:
September 6, 2010---ASIA ROLL INTO RENO
Quote From Rob Brooks, entertainment manager at Nugget Casinos, as the band take the stage tonight for an annual outdoor rock event sponsored by the Reno Nugget."We've been doing this event for 17 years and never known anything like this.""There is a crowd which looks like a sea of sand stretching as far as you can see".
Box office coordinator Doug Kuehn added "I think it was when people realised it was the original Asia that the excitement really took off."
Rob Brooks added;- "50,000 to 60,000 people are here for the show and you can quote me on that."
September 3, 2010---Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the release of ASIA's brand new live CD / DVD "Spirit Of The Night – Live in Cambridge 2009" on October 15th 2010. A proper US release will follow in early 2011.
This Live CD / DVD captures Asia in their original line-up, featuring John Wetton on vocals, Steve Howe on guitar, Geoffrey Downes on keyboards and Carl Palmer on drums, performing to an enthusiastic crowd. The masters come from the band's own archive and this is a show they have personally selected to be filmed and released. It's a raw and honest view of the musicians and the perspiration on their brows, as they play to a receptive audience. It is truly a compelling viewing and a "must have" for all Asia fans.
The DVD shows the band playing tightly together in harmony with each other and the audience in an energetic and energizing rock concert. The filming is "fly on the wall" placing the viewer seemingly in the audience rather than in a cinema. All of the band supports this type of filming and are looking forward to a DVD which allows the fans almost to join them on stage.
The set list features songs from their reunion album "Phoenix" along with a selection of the classics that all the fans would expect. The recording is a historical document of where the band was at the time and a snapshot of their musicianship, camaraderie and passion. This live CD / DVD is an irreplaceable companion to the studio album. "Spirit of the Night" shows the band at the top of their game.
"Spirit of the Night" will be released in CD and DVD separate editions and in a limited edition in digipak including both items.
CD tracklisting includes:
Only Time Will Tell; Time Again; An Extraordinary Life; My Own Time; Open Your Eyes; Fanfare For The Common Man (CD exclusive); Here Comes The Feeling; Never Again; The Heat Goes On; Sole Survivor; Don't Cry; Heat Of The Moment; Midnight Sun (Bonus Track).
DVD contents include:
Live in Cambridge concert: Only Time Will Tell; Time Again; An Extraordinary Life; My Own Time; Open Your Eyes; Here Comes The Feeling; Never Again; The Heat Goes On; Sole Survivor; Don't Cry; Heat Of The Moment. Bonus material: In the Court of the Crimson King (featuring Ian McDonald).
EPK – including John Wetton's voiceover.
EPK – including John Wetton's voiceover.
The DVD will be released in NTSC Region free format and shall include have Screen options 4:3 and 16:9, with stereo mix in 2.0 and 5.1.
"Heat Of The Moment" and "Never Again" can exclusively be listened to in full by streaming on the Frontiers Web Radio from September 3rd.
Tune in at: www.frontiers.it/webradio
August 21, 2010---Steven Lee & Gaby Dershin's club remix of "Heat" (a.k.a. "Heat of the Moment") has entered the Billboard Hot Club Dance Play chart at #47.
August 15, 2010---A big thank you to fans taking the time to post their tour reviews on the guestbook. John is enjoying the tour which also gave him the chance to see former webmaster, Kim Dancha, at the Pittsburgh show.
August 12, 2010---For the record, the band's forthcoming show in Alpine, CA on August 26 will mark the 200th show of the reunion.
August 12, 2010---The feedback to date on the ASIA VIP program has been wonderful, especially from those who have purchased "Gold Level" access. This opportunity, for only four fans per night, gives them the opportunity to sit at the side of the stage and experience an Asia concert from the most intimate vantage point possible, watching the band at close quarters and admiring the professionalism of the technical crew as they supervise yet another extraordinary Asia show. The band and crew look forward to meeting many more of you in the coming weeks!
August 10, 2010---By popular demand, two new UK dates have been added in December.
Dec 12 - Holmfirth (www.picturedrome.net Tel: 0871 230 1101)
Dec 15 - Falmouth
August 3, 2010---We have received official promoter confirmation that Saturday's attendance at the Rosenheim was not 5000 as expected, but in fact 6500 ASIA fans showed up. Thanks to all for the support!
July 31, 2010---The band are pleased to announce three tour dates for the UK in December:
Friday, December 10 - Edinburgh Picturehouse
Satursday, December 11 - Birmingham Institute
Tuesday, December 14 London Forum
July 31, 2010---Following Asia's acclaimed performance in front of 8000 at London's High Voltage, the band is in the middle of 3 German festivals. Last night a capacity 1500 rocked to the Omega set, featuring 5 new songs from Omega and new versions from Alpha and Astra. Tonight it is onto Rosenheim where 5000 are expected for Asia's headlining performance at the BR radltour event, sponsored by Bavaria's biggest radio station, Bavarian Radio.
And then the band will move to New England, the 29 date USA tour starting in Boston on August 2nd. Please send your reviews and youtubes to originalasia.com as previously requested.
July 16, 2010---ASIA was featured in a story that appeared in the July 16th USA TODAY about classic rock acts that have returned in 2010 with new albums and tours. Over 6 million readers had access to the story.
You're never too old to rock 'n' roll - USATODAY.com
June 23, 2010---John is pleased to announce his return to the Celtic world of Excalibur, the incredible albums from producer, Alan Simon.
John will be singing on two songs, "The Vision" and "The Lost Season" along with other guest musicians. "The Vision" has already been recorded and "The Lost Season" will be recorded on the 28th June.
June 11, 2010---Asia is sad to report the death this morning of long time friend and agent Barbara Skydel.
As a partner in Premier Talent, Barbara booked Asia from the start, and prior to Asia she was also responsible for King Crimson, Yes and ELP from their first US tours.
Having merged Premier with William Morris Agency in 2002, Barbara became senior VP and her expertise was instrumental in the successful reunion of Asia in 2006.
The music business has changed in many ways since Barbara started her voyage in the 1960s, but Barbara always maintained her good humour, wisdom and integrity, and her passing is a loss, not only for the multitudes who knew her and knew of her, but also for the music industry as a whole.
June 8, 2010---New ASIA German Dates Announced:
29th July 2010 - Wieden Tentfestival
30th July 2010 - Bad Krozingen
31st July 2010 - Rosenhiem Bavarian Radio Show
May 27, 2010---ASIA's critically acclaimed single "An Extraordinary Life" Chosen To Promote Hit NBC show America's Got Talent
ASIA's critically acclaimed rock track "An Extraordinary Life," was chosen as the soundtrack for promotional spots announcing the 2010 season of AMERICA'S GOT TALENT. This show is among the most popular entertainment reality shows of all time. Last season the show peaked at the #1 position in overall viewership.
AMERICA'S GOT TALENT producers specifically sought out the rights to use the famed ASIA song, which was written by members John Wetton and Geoff Downes. The track was recorded shortly after Wetton survived open heart surgery, in 2007. The song celebrates "carpe diem": each person's ability to seize each day, living life to the fullest. The promotional spots for America's Got Talent featuring "An Extraordinary Life," begin airing on NBC in prime time, Wednesday, May 26th.
English band ASIA recently released OMEGA, their fifth album since 1982's multi-platinum world best-selling debut, and the third release since reuniting in 2006. The band will launch a new North American tour in August, 2010. The already well-received album OMEGA is distributed by Frontiers Records (www.frontiers.it). EMI released ASIA's best-selling album Phoenix [under license from Frontiers Record], containing the hit "An Extraordinary Life". Both albums are available at www.amazon.com and other fine retailers.
The original members of ASIA are rock n' roll superstars Geoff Downes (keyboards), Steve Howe (guitars), Carl Palmer (drums) and John Wetton (lead vocals and bass). More about the band can be found at www.originalasia.com .
Click here to download the promo video (8MB)
For further information contact:
Nancy B. Sayle (Publicist) VQPR email@example.com (818) 716 6670
Bruce Pilato Director of Marketing & Public Relations for ASIA email@example.com (585) 454-2756
May 25, 2010---The continued success of Omega appears to have had a wonderful side effect -- the Audio Fidelity reissue of the band's debut, "Asia," has appeared at the #1 position on CD Universe's "New Releases" chart.
May 21, 2010---Asia's new studio CD has reached #1 on the internet-based CD Universe's bestseller chart, and is still in the top 75 on both the US and Canadian Amazon sales charts.
May 13, 2010---Asia is considering creating its own youtube page. We invite any audience members to submit youtube selections of Asia which will be uploaded to our new pages subject to approval.
The band ask all of you to be reasonable, please, and take into account the comfort and enjoyment of your fellow audience members when taking your films. The band does not want to see whole concerts filmed, nor TV or bulky cameras spoiling the view of your neighbours. We extend this invitation to those of you who record to your phone or Ipod the occasional short segment of your favourite track.
If the band believes that concert goers are being disturbed by over enthusiastic youtubers, the youtube pages will be withdrawn and we will return to our previous position. Submission details will be provided shortly, so please check back.
Video may be submitted via email and should be less than two minutes in length.
May 13, 2010---A new Omega review from Classic Rock magazine is now online as well as an advertisement for the CD.
May 13, 2010---Omega was #22 on the Amazon.ca charts for the week of May 3-9, and has been in the top 100 for over 32 days.
May 10, 2010---As quickly as it had begun, the first leg of the Omega tour has come to an end. Despite the unfortunate volcano induced cancellation of dates in Finland and Russia, fans of the band in Italy, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Austria, France, Netherlands and Germany welcomed Asia with open arms. The rejuvenated set list was a big hit, with the new material from Omega fitting seamlessly into the show, along with a couple of additional surprises for the fans. The band are now off to Japan for five shows beginning on May 13.
May 9, 2010---A nice advertisement for Omega and the Japanese tour is now available. Click the thumbnail to see the full-size image.
May 6, 2010---One more date has been added to the band's itinerary:
Aug 23rd - Majestic Theatre, San Antonio, TX
This date finalizes the US Omega 2010 tour, the full list is below:
2nd August 2010 - Zeiterion Performing Arts Centre, New Bedford MA
3rd August 2010 - Birchmere, Alexandria VA
5th August 2010 - Penn's Peak, Jim Thorpe PA
6th August 2010 - North Fork Theatre, Westbury NY
7th August 2010 - Showboat. Atlantic City NJ
8th August 2010 - Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield CT
10th August 2010 - Bergen PAC, Englewood NJ
12th August 2010 - Market Block Party, Syracuse NY
13th August 2010 - House of Blues, Cleveland OH
14th August 2010 - Armory, Rochester NY
15th August 2010 - Carnegie Hall of Homestead, Pittsburgh, PA
17th August 2010 - Memorial Auditorium, Raleigh NC
18th August 2010 - Variety Playhouse, Atlanta GA
20th August 2010 - House of Blues, Dallas
21st August 2010 - House of Blues, Houston
22nd August 2010 - Paramount Theatre, Austin
23rd August 2010 - Majestic Theatre, San Antonio, TX
25th August 2010 - Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix AZ
26th August 2010 - Viejas Casino @ Dreamcatcher, (San Diego), Alpine CA
27th August 2010 - Club Nokia, Los Angeles
28th August 2010 - The Grove, Anaheim
29th August 2010 - The Uptown, Napa
1st September 2010 - CSU Chico/Laxsun Auditorium, Chico CA
2nd September 2010 - Fox Theatre, Bakersfield CA
3rd September 2010 - Ovation @ Green Valley Resort & Spa, Vegas NV (Henderson)
4th September 2010 - Peppermill Casino (SLC Market), Wendover NV
5th September 2010 - Nugget Casino (Reno Market) Sparks NV
7th September 2010 - Aladdin Theatre, Portland OR
8th September 2010 - Moore Theatre, Seattle WA
May 5, 2010---Omega has entered the Swedish charts at number 47. A big "thank you" goes out to all the fans who continue to support the band!
May 4, 2010---Some exciting news for fans in Switzerland and around the world. Tonight's concert in Basel is being recorded by an 18 x HD camera crew for TV, to be networked worldwide. Presently, the working title is "Asia's Omega Tour Live in Switzerland".
May 4, 2010---Omega entered the UK Top 40 Indie album charts this week at #13. We can also confirm that the album has entered the Top 60 in Switzerland!
May 3, 2010---Following Omega's entry into the national charts of Norway and France over the weekend, we are pleased to report that Asia's new CD has entered the German top 100 at number 56.
May 3, 2010---With the 2010 tour underway and the release of Asia's new studio CD "Omega" we'd like to get your reviews!
Click on the appropriate link below to submit a review via email.
If you would like your review considered for posting, please limit it to 200 words or less. We reserve the right to edit submissions, and we cannot guarantee that all submissions will be published. Please do not send any live photos to this address.
May 2, 2010---The band performed to a sold-out audience in the beautiful German town of Asschaffenburg tonight - the first of the German dates. The crowd took the lead vocals for the first verse of the evening's second song, "Only Time Will Tell", and joined in the mixture of new and old Asia. Once again, the band delighted the audience with 4 new songs in the first 5, "I Believe", "Holy War" and "Through my Veins" from Omega, and "Never Again" from Phoenix.
Here is the setlist from the Asschaffenburg show: Finger on the Trigger, Only Time Will Tell, Holy War, Never Again, Through My Veins, Don't Cry, Steve Howe solo, Smile Has Left Your Eyes (parts 1 and 2), Open Your Eyes, I Believe, Time Again, An Extraordinary Life, The Heat Goes On, End of the World, Here Comes the Feeling, Sole Survivor, Go, and Heat of the Moment. Other European dates have had similiar sets, with slight modifications.
May 1, 2010---To answer a question about the Omega Tour we're being asked: Is that John Wetton's iconic Fender Precision, the white one? To which the answer is yes, JW has brought his Zon and his treasured white Precision on tour (you'll see it on many of the milestone photos through the years)!
April 30, 2010---Opening week, Omega entered at No.8 on the foreign album sales chart. Omega entered at No.29 on the album sales chart (all domestic and foreign albums) in Japan. We're hearing reports of likely chart entries around Europe.
April 30, 2010---After the volcano affected cancellations of Helsinki and Moscow, Asia's tour started in Rome, then moved to Prague, Switzerland and Austria. A day off and then comes Paris, followed by a drive to Holland and then the first of several shows in Germany.
The set has been changed significantly. Five songs from Omega are included [three of the first five in the first set]. No heritage songs from the seventies on this tour, the band is now playing Asia throughout the set. Without giving the game away, there is a song from Astra for the first time ever, and a new extended version of one of the major hits.
For this tour the band has dispensed with the live video screens and, with the help of pre-eminent lighting designer Marc Brickman [Pink Floyd, Roger Waters, Cirque du Soleil], will be utilising a new lighting design to complement the energy and excitement, the light and shade of Asia's music. Once again, Asia is pushing the boundaries.
There is a new range of merchandise, once again drawn from Roger Dean's new "Asian Tiger" designs, paying homage to this year's Chinese Year of the Tiger.
Incidently, 1982 was the Year of the Dog, 1983 the Year of the Boar, 2006 was the Dog, 2008 the Boar, 2008 the Rat and 2009 the Ox. Moving on, 2011 will be the Year of the Rat and 2012 will be the Year of the DRAGON.
April 29, 2010---ASIA is pleased to announce the US leg of The OMEGA Tour:
2nd August 2010 - Zeiterion Performing Arts Centre, New Bedford MA
3rd August 2010 - Birchmere, Alexandria VA
5th August 2010 - Penn's Peak, Jim Thorpe PA
6th August 2010 - North Fork Theatre, Westbury NY
7th August 2010 - Showboat. Atlantic City NJ
8th August 2010 - Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield CT
10th August 2010 - Bergen PAC, Englewood NJ
12th August 2010 - Market Block Party, Syracuse NY
13th August 2010 - House of Blues, Cleveland OH
14th August 2010 - Armory, Rochester NY
15th August 2010 - Carnegie Hall of Homestead, Pittsburgh, PA
17th August 2010 - Memorial Auditorium, Raleigh NC
18th August 2010 - Variety Playhouse, Atlanta GA
20th August 2010 - House of Blues, Dallas
21st August 2010 - House of Blues, Houston
22nd August 2010 - Paramount Theatre, Austin
23rd August 2010 - Majestic Theatre, San Antonio, TX
25th August 2010 - Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix AZ
26th August 2010 - Viejas Casino @ Dreamcatcher, (San Diego), Alpine CA
27th August 2010 - Club Nokia, Los Angeles
28th August 2010 - The Grove, Anaheim
29th August 2010 - The Uptown, Napa
1st September 2010 - CSU Chico/Laxsun Auditorium, Chico CA
2nd September 2010 - Fox Theatre, Bakersfield CA
3rd September 2010 - Ovation @ Green Valley Resort & Spa, Vegas NV (Henderson)
4th September 2010 - Peppermill Casino (SLC Market), Wendover NV
5th September 2010 - Nugget Casino (Reno Market) Sparks NV
7th September 2010 - Aladdin Theatre, Portland OR
8th September 2010 - Moore Theatre, Seattle WA
February 26, 2010---OMEGA releases April 23rd in Europe (except Finland : April 16th), May 4th in the USA and 21st April in Japan.. Release dates in other territories will be available shortly.
February 25, 2010---Just in are images for the new ASIA OMEGA album, along with the artwork for inside the booklet and an image of the Omega Tour poster:
February 12, 2010---ASIA OMEGA 2010 Tour Dates:
21st April 2010 - Helsinki, Finland (House of Culture)
22nd April 2010 - Moscow, Russia (B1 Club)
24th April 2010 - Rome, Italy (Auditorium)
26th April 2010 - Prague, Czech Republic (Lidovy dum Kbely)
27th April 2010 - Winterthur, Switzerland (Salzhaus)
28th April 2010 - Graz, Austria (Orpheum)
30th April 2010 - Paris, France (Casino De Paris)
1st May 2010 - Uden, Netherlands (De Pul)
3rd May 2010 - Nuremburg, Germany (Hirsch)
4th May 2010 - Pratteln, Switzerland (Z7)
6th May 2010 - Reichenbach, Germany (Die Halle)
7th May 2010 - Bochum, Germany (Zeche)
8th May 2010 - Osnabruck, Germany (Rosenhof)
9th May 2010 - Bonn, Germany (Bruckenforum)
13th May 2010 – Tokyo, Japan (Shibuya C. C. Lemon Hall)
14th May 2010 – Tokyo, Japan (Shibuya C. C. Lemon Hall)
15th May 2010 – Yokohama, Japan (Kanagawa Kenmin Hall)
17th May 2010 – Osaka, Japan (Grancube)
18th May 2010 – Nagoya, Japan (Nagoya Shi Kokaido)
February 9, 2010---John Wetton will be appearing live with It Bites at the Carnegie Hall, Workington, Cumbria on the 26th February to help raise funds for the Flood Relief.
February 8, 2010---To all...I'd like to take a moment to introduce myself as the new webmaster of John Wetton's Official Website. I'd also like to thank everyone who have sent kind welcome messages, since the handover from Kim Dancha, who has done a wonderful job in building the site up to what it is today. I'd also like to thank John Wetton for his support and I look forward to adding news of what should be a very busy and exciting year for everyone! Many thanks, Daniel Earnshaw (Liscombe Park, Buckinghamshire, UK).
January 13, 2010---To all...I'd like to take a moment to announce my
retirement from the webmastering duties of this website. It is said that
all good
things must come to an end, and my work here is no exception. Since taking
over the helm (in either '98 or '99.....I can't even remember), I've had
the pleasure of delivering you the news about John, his music, his concert
dates, and sometimes even his vacation photos! It's been a joy. The website
has also given me a public forum for launching several special events
ranging from charity auctions (including phone calls from John to fans) to the
fan convention in 2002. But there comes a time when family must come first,
and that's what's happening now. I've thought about my decision for
several weeks and am sure this is the time to say goodbye. I'll
be leaving you in the very capable hands of Daniel Earnshaw, who is part of our
UK-based staff. He'll
take over the webmastering duties within
the next few days.
I'd like to publicly thank John for keeping me on board as part of the
team for so many years. I've enjoyed every single minute, and I'll hopefully see
you on the road. I must also thank Martin Darvill (& Patzi), Dave Gallant
and Rick Nelson for their efforts in always making sure I had the latest news
and info for the website, and for always providing support, advice, and plenty of
It's been a wonderful ride. Thank you all!
January 13, 2010---Japan tour dates for Asia!
May 13 -- Tokyo, JapanMay 14 -- Tokyo, JapanMay 15 -- Yokohama, JapanMay 17 -- Osaka, JapanMay 18 -- Nagoya, Japan
Venue info to follow.
January 7, 2010---PLEASE NOTE that the Cybershop will
be temporarily closed for improvements....all in an effort to serve you better
in the future!
December 12, 2009---Good news for fans who have been anxiously awaiting word
of how and when to purchase a limited edition "Urban Psalm"DVD. It has now been added to our Cybershop! Of course, "Urban Psalm" is the
tremendous new iCon DVD recorded last February at St. Mary-le-Bowchurch in London. On that evening, John and Geoff were joined by Dave
Kilminster, Pete Riley, Anne-Marie Helder, and Hugh McDowell for a setlist ofrare musical gems
such as "Countdown to Zero," "The Die is
Cast," "Paradox/Let Me Go," "Rock and Roll Dream," "Voice of America," "To Catch a Thief" and "Elstree," just to name a few. The price of the
autographed limited edition DVD is $45 (postage included). As a special bonus, we're
alsooffering a DVD/download bundle that includes the "Urban Psalm" DVD plus a
link to download songs from a rare, live Wetton-Downes performancefrom the 2006 iCon tour in Japan. The price of the bundle is $55.
Order now! The DVDs are strictly limited!
December 11, 2009---We are pleased to bring you the
first confirmed Asia tour date of 2010. The band has been added to the
incredibleline-up of the UK's High Voltage festival in July. Click
here to visit the
official festival website for complete information.
December 1, 2009---The auction is over, and Joe Kennedy is the winner of a personal phone call from John. Many, many thanks to
all ofyou who entered bids and sent donations. Your support of this website is
great appreciated.
November 30, 2009---Several things this evening. First,
bidding is open for just four more hours for the personal phone call from John.
The winnerwill be announced tomorrow morning. The high bid remains $825.
Second, Asia is pleased to announce that they are currently recording their
second reunion studio album and the follow-up to 2008's acclaimed "Phoenix" album. The legendary Roger Dean is onboard to design the cover
artwork, while the renowned Mike Paxman is in the producer's chair. The album is due for completion in mid-February, so stay tuned for future
Also this evening, John is set to lend his talents to aid flooding victims
in Cumbria, UK. He has been approached and has agreed to assistthis worthy cause, which is being organized by members of It Bites. The
musicians plan to record a new version of their classic hit "Calling All The
Heroes," and release it as both an EP and video. John and his management have offered
the use of their Liscombe Park studios for the recording of this truly deserving charitable effort.
November 29, 2009---AUCTION UPDATE: The current high
bid is $825. You may e-mail a bid to
firstname.lastname@example.com until 11PM (US Eastern) November 30.
November 28, 2009---We've been very
pleased indeed to have been able finally to [postal strikes notwithstanding!) ship the Urban Psalm DVD, the hand signed limited edition
performance video from the special St Mary-le-bow performance in February 2009.
Each shipment was registered and contains a specific and
traceable shipping code, so please contact us on the email below if your DVD has
not been received.
We are very pleased with these limited edition DVDs --
they are truly limited. We are pleased with the broadcast quality of the
performances, and the class of both the artwork and the
sleeve notes by Nick Shilton. In addition, everyone who provided
their email address at the performance will get a special link this coming
week to download songs from a rare, live Wetton-Downes performance from the
2006 iCon tour in Japan...
You will surely enjoy reliving that wonderful evening
in London when
the band and audience enjoyed an intimate and flawlessly unique performance of
wonderful songs, many of which are only rarely, if
ever, performed. It was intended to be, and indeed proceeded to be a very
special evening for those of us able to witness it. In addition, you will
certainly enjoy the songs from the Japan tour.
If you have any questions about this or if your email
address has changed, please email firstname.lastname@example.com..Please allow ten
days to ensure that everyone has received his or her emailed download link.
November 20, 2009---AUCTION UPDATE: The current high
bid is $660. You may e-mail a bid to
email@example.com through November 30th.
In addition, shipping of iCon's "Urban Psalm" DVDs will begin on Monday. If
you attended last February's concert at St. Mary-le-Bow church in London, you
should receive your DVD within the next week to ten days. Many thanks from the
staff, as well as John and Geoff, for your patience during the production of
this DVD.
If you did not attend the concert, please keep an eye on this site for info
on how to order one of the DVDs.
November 13, 2009---AUCTION UPDATE: The current
high bid is $510. You may e-mail a bid to
firstname.lastname@example.com through November 30th.
November 6, 2009---AUCTION UPDATE: The current
high bid is $325. You may e-mail a bid to
firstname.lastname@example.com through November 30th.
November 2, 2009---Urban Psalm is in the
We have taken delivery of the limited edition Urban
Psalm DVD at iCon headquarters, and we anticipate needing a week or so for John and Geoff to sign each copy. After this,
we will be posting the copies internationally to all of you who attended the fabulously exclusive February 21, 2009
show in London.
Of course, you'll recall word of this amazing performance featuring John,
Geoff, Dave Kilminster, Pete Riley,Anne-Marie Helder, and Hugh McDowell....all in the intimate confines of the
historic St. Mary-le-Bow Church. The group thrilled the audience with an incredibly rare setlist that included
such gems as "Voice of America," "DaysLike These," "My Own Time," "Starless," "Elstree," and recent iCon classics
like "Rubicon" and "To Catch a Thief."
A small number of additional Urban Psalm DVDs (personally autographed by
John and Geoff) will be offered for sale via the Cybershop in the near
future. The cost of each DVD will be $45. Please keep an eye on this site for
word about theofficial start of the sale.
October 27, 2009---Want to get a phone call from John??
Read on!
October 9, 2009---Here is a photo from the recent King
Crimson mini-reunion in London. The musicians gathered at Air Studios
for a playback of recently remastered KC albums, including the
quintessential Crimson album "Red."
From left: Michael Giles, Pete Sinfield, Bill Bruford, David Cross, Robert
Fripp, John Wetton, and Mel Collins
October 5, 2009---Here's a look at an advertisement for
the upcoming Wetton/Jobson shows in Poland:
September 28, 2009---John Wetton will join Eddie Jobson
on stage for three shows in Poland as follows:
September 25, 2009---We're pleased to announce that
iCon fans fortunate enough to be in attendance at last February's fabulous St.
Mary-le-Bowconcert will receive their copies of the "Urban Psalm" DVD in late
October/early November. The DVD promises to capture the full magic of the event,which also featured the immense talents of Dave Kilminster, Pete Riley, Hugh
McDowell, and Anne-Marie Helder. Fans were thrilled by the incrediblesetlist which included iCon favorites such as "Rubicon" and "To Catch a
Thief," heritage tunes from both Wetton and Downes, plus rarely performedAsia tracks including "Countdown to Zero," "Days Like These," and "My Own
note that there will be no commercial release of this DVD until 2010, but do
keep an eye on this website for future details of how you may purchase a
strictly limited edition "Urban Psalm" DVD signed by John and Geoff.
September 8, 2009---Important news regarding the
Cybershop. Our sales staff will be out of the office from September 12th through
October 27th. No orders will be processed during that time.
August 30, 2009---The
final edits, mixes and running order for the "Urban Psalm" iCon live DVD,
recorded on February 21 at St Mary-Le-Bow Church in London, have been completed, and the DVD is
ready for final production. Once the artwork is finished, the limited edition
DVD will be manufactured and distributed to those who attended the show.
A short while after, the balance of the limited edition DVDs will be sold on the
member websites.
August 14, 2009---John will be featured in an interview
tonight on Majic 100.3FM in Ottawa, Canada. The interview will be part of That
80s Show with Codi Jeffreys,airing from 6 to 10PM (Eastern time), with bits of the interview broadcast
throughout the four hours. If you're in the Ottawa area, you can simply tune
into 100.3FM.Fans in other parts of the world can listen via the
Internet at
August 13, 2009---Due to the overwhelming response to
our offer of autographed iCon3 CDs via our Cybershop earlier this year, I am
very proud to announce theaddition of autographed iCon1 and iCon2 CDs for sale. The CDs will be
signed by both John and Geoff, and will be priced at $35 each. Please visit theCybershop to place your order today!
August 2, 2009---Radio Caroline is one of the partners
of the Cambridge Rock Festival. They are broadcasting parts of the festival
including Asia's set. For more information, see Radio Caroline's website ....
Again, a special note for fans attending the Cambridge festival: Asia will be
recording the show in HD 5.1 for future use.
August 1, 2009---With only two shows remaining
in the US tour, the members of Asia are looking forward to their August concerts
in Cambridge, UK
and Hamm, Germany. A special note for fans attending the Cambridge festival -
Asia will be recording the show in HD 5.1 for future use.
July 15, 2009---Due to circumstances beyond our
control, Asia will not be playing the "Memories of Woodstock" festival in
July 11, 2009---
1. The Japanese TV NHK will air the ASIA's Live at Tokyo in 2007 on its
hi-vision channel tomorrow, July 12th.
2. iCon has withdrawn from the Shrewsbury festival in the UK in August. There is
no further info at this time.
3. There is an update on the progress of the iCon DVD from the London concert
earlier this year:
"URBAN PSALM" is the new Wetton Downes' iCon DVD, recorded at St Mary-Le-Bow
Church in the city of London, on the
evening of February 21, 2009. The DVD is currently being edited and will be
mixed in August, after the Asia U.S.A.
A special limited edition of the DVD, signed by John and Geoff, will be sent to
each member of the audience who
attended the concert--many from around the globe---on that special winter's
Joining Messrs Wetton and Downes on the chequer board stage were David
Kilminster, Pete Riley, Hugh McDowell and
Anne-Marie Helder, and the ensemble explored iCon present as well as legacy
songs from John and Geoff's careers dating
back over 30 years.
June 25, 2009---John Wetton to be among members of Asia
and Yes joining Roger Dean for special event in San Francisco!
June 19, 2009---With response to John's holiday photos
so great, John has suggested we also share the following. This is a ticket to
his VERY FIRST live show!
June 17, 2009---Just in...great photos of John and
Dylan (and friends) on a much deserved holiday!
June 16, 2009---With regards to the Asia VIP
Experience, please reference the order site which explains that all VIP guests
will be notified 48 to 72 hours prior to performancewith regards to time/location. At this point, only the show venues have been
established. Organizers don't yet know what times the bands will set up. That
will happenmuch closer to the show date. Rest assured that one of the top companies in
the business is handling the VIP Experience which, as usual, is how Asia and its
management operate. And it is an incredible value for the fans. To compare, KISS is
charging nearly $1000 for a similar experience.
Also, I'd like to add that if anyone has a question/problem with a VIP
order, please contact Dave Gallant or myself via our websites. It's a better way
to get a quick andaccurate response. Guestbook posts aren't read daily by the webmasters.
Also, inaccurate remarks about the VIP Experience on a public forum can diminish
businessfor the band.
June 8, 2009---A message about Asia's summer tour itinerary from manager
Martin Darvill:
In response to
disappointment from certain areas in the fan base, Asia has no boundaries as to where it will visit to play.
The band has a proven record of travelling
all round the world in order to bring their music to those of you who provide
the demand. We fully appreciate the passion and commitment of Asia's fanbase, there is a unique bond between
you and the band.
The only limits
are imposed by promoters who decide whether or not they are sufficiently financially comfortable to offer a deal to Asia's
employs one of the world's largest agencies, messrs William Morris, to negotiate
with promoters. The band is travelling many thousands of miles
from home to the
venues, and between venues, and it is a precondition that promoters are
financially robust, have status, and are capable of delivering upon commitments to
enable us to bring an Asia production from the UK to USA, Europe, Japan, South America
or anywhere else in the world.
We are sorry
that some territories have been omitted from the forthcoming Yes Asia tour.
This is because promoters have been unable to reach agreement with our
agents, or because the timing was unfortunate regarding availability of venues,
or feasibility of routing.
On the other
hand, we're pleased to be visiting new regions and look forward to meeting those
of you who will be supporting the shows.
We also confirm
that the band is already planning international activity for 2010, so if you
wish to lobby your local promoters, please go ahead.
Once again, the
band thanks all of you for your continued interest in Asia..
June 8, 2009---We are proud to present an amazing opportunity for Asia fans.
For only $99, you can have exclusive access at a concert of your choice on the band's forthcoming US tour. For all of the
details, please click
here. VIP availability is limited, so place your ordertoday! PLEASE NOTE that a concert ticket is not included in the cost of
this package.
May 20, 2009---John is now a Classic Rock Society
patron along with Rick Wakeman, Carl Palmer, Fish, Dave Greenslade, Rod Argent,and Steve Hackett. For more information about the Society and its
activities, visit
May 14, 2009---Two new concert dates have been
announced for Asia. First, Asia with Yes will be performing at the House of
Blues in Anaheim, CA on July 5th. In addition, Asia will be playing a free, open air concert (Hammer Sommer) in Hamm,
Germany on August 29th. Also appearing on the same bill will be Mia. Please note
the Germanydate is not part of the Asia/Yes tour.
May 1, 2009---Here's a look at a Japanese ad for iCon3:
April 21, 2009---We want to make fans aware of an
unauthorized John Wetton box set scheduled for release in late May. The
release in question features threeCDs (Agenda/Amorata/Amata) from Metal Mind Productions. The package is
NOT authorized by John nor John's management, and
action is being taken to prevent the release. As always, if you hear of a John Wetton product that is
not mentioned on this site, it is wise to avoid it.
April 17, 2009---Get Ready to Rock, the website for
classic, metal & progressive rock, will air an exclusive interview with John on
Sunday,April 19th at 8PM (GMT). To listen, click
here. In addition, Asia received some high
profile promotion today with a photo and article in Britain'ssecond biggest national daily newspaper, the Daily Mirror:
April 16, 2009---MAJOR TOUR ANNOUNCEMENT, AS ASIA
Asia has announced plans for a coast-to-coast American tour with Yes.
here for the complete press release. Dates are as follows:
June 26: Indio, CA (Fantasy Springs Casino)
June 27: Las Vegas, NV (Thomas & Mack Center)
June 30: Snoqualmie, WA (Snoqualmie Casino)
July 2: San Francisco, CA (Warfield)
July 3: Saratoga, CA (The Mountain Winery)
July 7: Los Angeles, CA (Gibson Amphitheatre at City Walk)
July 8: San Diego, CA (Humphrey's)
July 9: Phoenix, AZ (Dodge)
July 12: Denver, CO (Paramount Theatre)
July 14: Kansas City, MO (Uptown Theater)
July 15: Ft. Worth, TX (Bass Music Center)
July 16: Muskegee, OK (Civic Center)
July 18: Walker, MN (Moondance Jam)
July 20: Detroit, MI (DTE Energy Music Theatre)
July 21: Pittsburgh, PA (Chevrolet Amphitheatre)
July 22: Glen Allen, VA (Insbrook Pavilion)
July 23: National Harbour, MD (Sunset Concerts)
July 25: Cohassett, MA (South Shore Music Circus)
July 26: Jackson, NJ (Great Adventure Amphitheatre)
July 28: Philadelphia, PA (Tower Theatre)
July 29: Montclair, NJ (Wellmont Theatre)
July 31: Westbury, NY (Theatre at Westbury)
August 1: Jamestown, NY (Savings Bank Arena)
August 2: Bethlehem, PA (Musikfest)
April 15, 2009---Please check out the Images page for
some fantastic photos of Asia in Moscow (scroll down to see most recent).
November 2, 2006---A
glowing review of the Asia show in Chicago can be found at